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Updated: Dec 1, 2025
Manufacture and Drug Delivery Applications of Silk Nanoparticles
Published on: October 8, 2016
Silk Particles as Carriers of Therapeutic Molecules for Cancer Treatment
Anna Florczak1,2, Inga Grzechowiak1,2, Tomasz Deptuch1,2
1Department of Medical Biotechnology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-866 Poznan, Poland.
Abstract:
Although progress is observed in cancer treatment, this disease continues to be the second leading cause of death worldwide. The current understanding of cancer indicates that treating cancer should not be limited to killing cancer cells alone, but that the target is the complex tumor microenvironment (TME). The application of nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems (DDS) can not only target cancer cells and TME, but also simultaneously resolve the severe side effects of various cancer treatment approaches, leading to more effective, precise, and less invasive therapy. Nanoparticles based on proteins derived from silkworms' cocoons (like silk fibroin and sericins) and silk proteins from spiders (spidroins) are intensively explored not only in the oncology field. This natural-derived material offer biocompatibility, biodegradability, and simplicity of preparation methods. The protein-based material can be tailored for size, stability, drug loading/release kinetics, and functionalized with targeting ligands. This review summarizes the current status of drug delivery systems' development based on proteins derived from silk fibroin, sericins, and spidroins, which application is focused on systemic cancer treatment. The nanoparticles that deliver chemotherapeutics, nucleic acid-based therapeutics, natural-derived agents, therapeutic proteins or peptides, inorganic compounds, as well as photosensitive molecules, are introduced.
Insights
Silk-derived nanoparticles offer biocompatible drug delivery systems (DDS) for targeted cancer treatment. These natural materials can be engineered to precisely deliver various therapeutics to the tumor microenvironment (TME), improving efficacy and reducing side effects.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Oncology
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Cancer remains a leading cause of death globally, necessitating advanced treatment strategies.
- Current cancer therapy focuses on targeting the tumor microenvironment (TME) beyond just cancer cells.
- Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems (DDS) show promise for precise cancer treatment with reduced side effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the development of silk-derived protein nanoparticles for systemic cancer treatment.
- To highlight the application of silk fibroin, sericins, and spidroins in DDS.
- To summarize the types of therapeutics delivered by these nanoparticles.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on silk-derived protein nanoparticles in cancer therapy.
- Analysis of nanoparticle properties such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and tailorability.
- Categorization of therapeutic agents delivered by these DDS.
Main Results:
- Silk-derived proteins (silk fibroin, sericins, spidroins) are biocompatible, biodegradable, and easily prepared.
- These protein-based nanoparticles can be customized for size, stability, and drug release kinetics.
- Functionalization with targeting ligands enhances specificity for cancer cells and the TME.
Conclusions:
- Silk-derived nanoparticles represent a promising platform for advanced cancer drug delivery.
- These DDS can effectively deliver a wide range of therapeutics, including chemotherapeutics, nucleic acids, and proteins.
- The use of natural silk proteins offers a pathway for more effective, precise, and less invasive cancer therapies.
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