Towards protein-based viral mimetics for cancer therapies

Trends Biotechnol. 2015 May;33(5):253-8. doi: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2015.02.007. Epub 2015 Mar 22.

Abstract

High resistance and recurrence rates, together with elevated drug clearance, compel the use of maximum-tolerated drug doses in cancer therapy, resulting in high-grade toxicities and limited clinical applicability. Promoting active drug accumulation in tumor tissues would minimize such issues and improve therapeutic outcomes. A new class of therapeutic drugs suitable for the task has emerged based on the concept of virus-mimetic nanocarriers, or 'artificial viruses'. Among the spectrum of materials under exploration in nanocarrier research, proteins offer unparalleled structural and functional versatility for designing virus-like molecular vehicles. By exhibiting 'smart' functions and biomimetic traits, protein-based nanocarriers will be a step ahead of the conventional drug-protein conjugates already in the clinic in ensuring efficient delivery of passenger antitumor drugs.

Keywords: biomaterials; biomimetics; drug delivery; protein engineering; protein nanoparticles; targeted therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomimetic Materials / pharmacokinetics
  • Biomimetic Materials / therapeutic use*
  • Biomimetics*
  • Drug Carriers / pharmacokinetics
  • Drug Carriers / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods*
  • Humans
  • Nanomedicine / trends*
  • Nanoparticles / therapeutic use*
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Virus Physiological Phenomena

Substances

  • Drug Carriers