Artificial intelligence and nanotechnology for cervical cancer treatment: Current status and future perspectives

Cancer epigenetics has become increasingly popular due to the reversible nature of epigenetic changes that tend to take place during carcinogenesis. Cervical tumorigenesis in influenced by epigenetic changes such as DNA methylation and acetylation. Several epigenetically active inhibitors targeting DNA methyltransferase (DNMTs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs) are either approved or under clinical trials to treat cervical cancer. However, most synthetic inhibitors have shown adverse side effects, off-target specificity, and are expensive. Hence, bioactive phytochemicals, widely available with lesser toxicity impacts, have been evaluated for their role in the modulation of epigenetic traits involved in gene regulation for cervical cancer prevention and therapy. Most of these phytochemicals potentially altered the expression of oncogenes and key tumor suppressor genes through modulation of DNA methylation and chromatin modification in different forms of cancer including cervical cancer. Even though these compounds exerted potential anti-tumor activity, there is a paucity of studies reported on their targeted delivery with desirable effects. In this scenario, nano-encapsulated drugs exhibited multi-parametric anti-tumor activity, yet there are some crucial factors such as the tumor-microenvironment (TME) and toxicological effects of these nano-formulated therapeutics may pose a difficult task from its clinical use. However, computational pharmaceutics employing artificial intelligence (AI) tools and nano-formulations might elevate the present therapeutic strategy compared to the conventional route. This review also supports significant future research for developing AI and nanotechnology based therapeutics that are needed for advanced, precise, and personalized healthcare systems.