Cell Membrane-Camouflaged Nanoparticles: A Promising Biomimetic Strategy for Cancer Theragnostics

Polymers (Basel). 2018 Sep 3;10(9):983. doi: 10.3390/polym10090983.

Abstract

Biomimetic functionalization of nanoparticles through camouflaging with cellular membranes has emerged as a promising strategy for cancer theragnostics. Cellular membranes used for camouflaging nanoparticles are generally isolated from blood cells, immune cells, cancer cells, and stem cells. The camouflaging strategy of wrapping nanoparticles with cellular membranes allows for superior tumor targeting through self-recognition, homotypic targeting and prolonged systematic circulation, thereby aiding in effective tumor therapy. In this review, we emphasized the various types of cellular membrane-camouflaged nanoparticles, their mechanisms in targeted therapy and various biomimetic strategies for anti-cancer therapy.

Keywords: biomimetic; homotypic targeting; immune escape; membrane-coated nanoparticle; tumor therapy.

Publication types

  • Review