Methotrexate resistance and its regulatory mechanisms in pediatric tumors and beyond

Exploring the potentials of chitosan as a promising carrier for methotrexate for beating cancer

Cancer has long been considered to be one of the drivers of global mortality. The most prevalent malignancies are those of the breast, lungs, colorectal, and prostate. There is a different set of interventions that is used for treating cancer; chemotherapeutics, radiotherapeutics, and surgical interventions. However, these classic medications leave the body in crisis as a consequence of their tremendous harm. Consequently, researchers would not rely on those classic choices. Hopefully, chitosan (CS) and methotrexate (MTX) can offer a state-of-the-art delivery system in beating cancer. As CS can be exploited in numerous ways to deposit MTX in cancer cells. For instance, it is implemented in formulating nanomicelles, hydrogels, nanoparticles (NPs), and as coating material for metallic and protein NPs. Furthermore, CS can also be coated with hyaluronic acid or folic acid for actively targeting cancer cells. Interestingly, CS and MTX could bridge the gap between classic chemo drugs and novel drug delivery systems. Moreover, they can chart a new way forward and leverage our limited options in cancer therapy.