Fluorouracil

Where the papers sit

38 papers from the last 6 months study fluorouracil directly · updated from PubMed 11 Oct 2026

• Responsive Drug Delivery

  Stimuli-responsive carriers are being designed to release 5-FU selectively within tumors while limiting systemic exposure. Redox-, pH-, magnetic- and thermally triggered hydrogels, metal-organic frameworks and supramolecular systems recur across the work. Computational studies increasingly guide drug–carrier interactions and glutathione-sensitive release, alongside imaging and tumor-microenvironment modulation. Most evidence remains formulation-based, leaving biodistribution, safety and therapeutic benefit in vivo unresolved.

  10 papers · 26.3%

• Apoptosis-Based Chemosensitization

  Adjunct compounds and nanocarriers are being used to intensify 5-FU-induced apoptosis in colorectal and other cancers. Recurrent mechanisms include ROS generation, mitochondrial dysfunction, caspase-3 activation, BAX/BCL2 imbalance and cell-cycle arrest, with some studies adding cuproptosis or anti-angiogenic effects. pH-responsive and metal-based formulations aim to improve intracellular delivery and selective cytotoxicity. The field is still largely preclinical, with the contribution of each death pathway and the safety of combination treatment unresolved.

  9 papers · 23.7%

• Colorectal Combination Therapy

  Combination regimens are pairing 5-FU with oxaliplatin, irinotecan, vorinostat or immune approaches to improve colorectal cancer control. Sensitization strategies target LGR1, PI3K/AKT signaling and tumor-associated processes, while engineered probiotics and enteric microparticles seek more selective delivery. Clinical work is testing hepatic arterial infusion and liposomal irinotecan with 5-FU and folinic acid after metastatic surgery or in later lines. Biomarker validation and the balance between efficacy, toxicity and cost remain open.

  8 papers · 21.1%

• Molecular Chemoresistance in Cancer

  Resistance to 5-FU is being linked to ferroptosis suppression, homologous-recombination repair and tumor–immune interactions across several cancers. PTPRE-driven Src/FAK/TRIB3 signaling, PARG-dependent RAD51AP1 stabilization and loss of SLC44A4 illustrate distinct mechanisms that may be therapeutically actionable. Multi-omics, machine learning and tumor genomic profiling are shifting the field toward predictive biomarkers and treatment selection. Whether these markers improve chemotherapy decisions prospectively, rather than merely predicting prognosis, remains open.

  6 papers · 15.8%

• Localized Responsive Drug Delivery

  5-FU delivery is moving toward implantable or injectable carriers that combine localized release with imaging and tumor targeting. Hydrogels, ZIF-8 nanofibers, graphene quantum dots, pillar[5]arene systems and multi-stimuli nanocarriers recur across the studies. pH- or microenvironment-responsive release is intended to increase tumor exposure while reducing off-target toxicity, with some platforms adding curcumin, 6-mercaptopurine or hyperthermia. Evidence remains centered on material characterization and tumor inhibition, so durability, tissue penetration and clinical safety are still uncertain.

  5 papers · 13.2%