Carbohydrate polymers in oncology: From molecular interactions to therapeutic innovations

Polysaccharides, especially carbohydrate polysaccharides, are vital bioactive macromolecules with ultimate potential and applications in various medical and industrial areas. Researchers have been interested in these polysaccharides because they possess high biological compatibility characteristics and serve multiple biological and physiological functions. As of now, cancer is a very aggressive and invasive illness that disrupts numerous cell processes. To improve the safety and effectiveness, various biological molecules have been studied for the treatment and diagnosis of cancer. Polysaccharides are of great scientific interest for cancer therapy due to their high biocompatibility, nontoxicity, and biological activity. Polysaccharides have been proven to efficiently interact with biological systems, establish cell-cell communication, improve adhesion, and aid in immune recognition. This article expands the focus on polysaccharide-based biomaterials and nanomaterials in treating cancer, utilizing them as drug carriers, and employing them in drug delivery systems. There is considerable evidence of the effectiveness of polysaccharides in cancer treatment due to their stability, bioavailability, and solubility, which all aid in metastasis and mutagenesis. In conclusion, the review suggests that more efforts be made to develop more effective methods for utilizing biological macromolecules in cancer treatment.