Protein-Based Drug Delivery Nanomedicine Platforms: Recent Developments.

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Nanomedicine
• Materials Science

Background:

• Naturally occurring protein cages (viral and non-viral) are explored for pharmaceutical uses.
• Protein cages offer biocompatibility, biodegradability, and modifiability for drug delivery.
• Examples include ferritin, viral capsids, albumin, collagen, and gelatin as drug delivery vehicles.

Approach:

• This review focuses on polymer-based, specifically protein-based, nanomedicine platforms for drug delivery.
• Bibliographic databases and web search engines were used to identify relevant research on nanomaterials in medicine.
• The study examines the potential and drawbacks of various protein-based drug delivery systems.

Key Points:

• Protein structures like rings, tubes, and cages serve as building blocks for nanomachines.
• Virions exhibit conformational changes, enabling tunable access to their core for drug delivery.
• Protein cages provide uniformity, controlled size, and conjugation capabilities.

Conclusions:

• Protein cages exhibit significant potential for drug delivery and intracellular administration due to their biocompatibility.
• Precise engineering of protein cages allows for tailored functionalities in nanomedicine.
• These natural nanostructures represent promising platforms for future pharmaceutical innovations.