Whole cell-based drug delivery: carriers, loading strategies and biomedical applications
Yi Kong1, Jinwen Chen1, Yangqian Luo2
1Department of Pharmacy, The First People's Hospital of Xiaoshan District, Xiaoshan Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Hangzhou 311200, PR China.
Abstract:
Whole cell-based drug delivery strategies have recently attracted considerable attention because they inherit the complete surface topology and biological functions of parent cells, affording inherent target-site accumulation, prolonged circulation, high preparation efficiency and satisfactory biocompatibility. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of targeted drug-delivery strategies that employ whole living or dead cells as carriers. We introduce the biological properties and functions of these whole cell carriers, drug loading strategies, genetic engineering modification approaches, and their applications in treating inflammatory diseases, cancers and other diseases. Finally, we highlight the remaining challenges and future prospects of whole cell-based delivery systems.
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