Biomimetic cell membrane-mediated nanodelivery platform based on natural products: Emerging strategies for cancer...

The therapeutic limitations such as drug resistance, insufficient efficacy, metastasis, cancer heterogeneity, and severe side effects are frequently caused by the long duration of cancer monotherapy. In comparison, multimodal cancer combination therapy strategies hold great promise for countering these limitations. Recent studies increasingly demonstrate the distinct anti-cancer effects of natural products, boosting combined cancer therapies via multiple pathways. However, their therapeutic outcomes are significantly compromised by low bioavailability and poor targeting. Biomimetic cell membrane nanodelivery systems show excellent biocompatibility, enhanced physiological barrier penetration, and homologous targeting. Cell membranes extracted from erythrocytes, cancer cells, immune cells, and so on are often used to coat nanoparticles (NPs) to achieve multiple functions. As expected, the therapeutic effects of natural products are significantly enhanced by the delivery of biomimetic membranes. Here, the advantages of natural products in combating cancer and the preparation process of cell membrane-coated NPs are summarized. More importantly, the recent progress of cell membrane nanodelivery systems for encapsulating natural products in cancer combination therapy is discussed, highlighting the construction of biomimetic nanomedicines, targeted drug delivery, controlled drug release, enhanced anti-cancer efficacy, and underlying anti-cancer mechanisms. Further, the review contrasts the advantages of cell membrane biomimetic nanocarriers with other nanocarriers. Finally, the possibilities and challenges of clinical translation in this new field are discussed.