Bio-Inspired Protein-Based Nanoformulations for Cancer Theranostics

Abstract

Over the past decade, more interests have been aroused in engineering protein-based nanoformulations for cancer treatment. This excitement originates from the success of FDA approved Abraxane (Albumin-based paclitaxel nanoparticles) in 2005. The new generation of biocompatible endogenous protein-based nanoformulations is currently constructed through delivering cancer therapeutic and diagnostic agents simultaneously, as named potential theranostics. Protein nanoformulations are commonly incorporated with dyes, contrast agents, drug payloads or inorganic nanoclusters, serving as imaging-guided combinatorial cancer therapeutics. Employing the nature identity of proteins, the theranostics, escape the clearance by reticuloendothelial cells and have a long blood circulation time. The nanoscale sizet allows them to be penetrated deeply into tumor tissues. In addition, stimuli release and targeted molecules are incorporated to improve the delivery efficiency. The ongoing advancement of protein-based nanoformulations for cancer theranostics in recent 5 years is reviewed in this paper. Fine-designed nanoformulations based on albumin, ferritin, gelatin, and transferrin are highlighted from the literature. Finally, the current challenges are identified in translating protein-based nanoformulations from laboratory to clinical trials.

Development of novel apoferritin formulations for antitumour benzothiazoles

“…Of particular interest is protein capsule apoferritin (AFt), which has been successfully used for development of biohybrid and self-assembled materials, 1,2 for the encapsulation of proteins 3 and small drug molecules. [4][5][6][7][8] AFt consists of 24 polypeptide subunits assembled into a spherical protein cage with an internal cavity of 8 nm in diameter 9 ; 0.3-to 0.4-nm channels in the shell 10 and pH-dependent dissembly 9 allow controlled release of cargo. The uniform size, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and non-toxicity has led to AFt being identified as an ideal drug delivery vehicle.…”

“…Various nanoscale delivery vehicles have been considered to address these issues, such as liposomes, micelles, and protein capsules. Of particular interest is protein capsule apoferritin (AFt), which has been successfully used for development of biohybrid and self‐assembled materials, for the encapsulation of proteins and small drug molecules . AFt consists of 24 polypeptide subunits assembled into a spherical protein cage with an internal cavity of 8 nm in diameter; 0.3‐ to 0.4‐nm channels in the shell and pH‐dependent dissembly allow controlled release of cargo.…”

Current development of biodegradable polymeric materials for biomedical applications

“…41 Moreover, gelatin is water permeable and soluble in water and has multifunctional properties as a drug-delivery carrier. 42 Gelatin’s mechanical properties, swelling behavior, thermal properties, and many other physiochemical properties can be dependent upon the collagen source, extraction method, amount of thermal denatured employed, and the degree of cross-linking, thereby making gelatin a very versatile polymer. 43 Furthermore, its ability to produce a thermoreversible gel makes it a very good candidate as a targeted drug-delivery carrier and, as a result, gelatin can be utilized to develop specific drug-release profiles, allowing for a broad range of applications in drug delivery.…”

Recent Advances in Nanomedicine for the Diagnosis and Therapy of Liver Fibrosis

“…“Theranostics”, a portmanteau word of “therapeutics” and “diagnostics”, is achieved by incorporating diagnostic and therapeutic functions into a single nanoplatform. Theranostics has been proposed as a new and revolutionary therapeutic concept in several types of disease therapy, including that for liver fibrosis [ 107 ]. This strategy allows simultaneous diagnosis and treatment response by using personalized medicine with high accuracy and specificity.…”