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Published on: November 7, 2013
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Blood Cell-Based Drug Delivery Systems: From Biological and Mechanical Design to Clinical Applications
1Department of Engineering Mechanics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
Bioengineering (Basel, Switzerland)
|March 28, 2026
Summary
Blood cells offer a promising platform for targeted drug delivery, overcoming limitations of conventional methods. Engineering these cells enhances their potential for treating diseases like cancer and others.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Conventional drug delivery systems face challenges including poor targeting, short half-lives, and toxicity.
- Blood cells possess inherent advantages like biocompatibility, long circulation, and disease site homing capabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the potential of blood cells as next-generation targeted drug carriers.
- To examine the engineering and application of blood cells for tumor-targeted therapy and other diseases.
Main Methods:
- Review of biological and mechanical properties of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
- Analysis of cell engineering techniques for drug loading.
- Examination of applications in tumor-targeted therapy and other disease treatments.
Main Results:
- Blood cells exhibit favorable characteristics for drug delivery, including low immunogenicity and mechanical flexibility.
- Engineered blood cells show promise for enhanced drug targeting and therapeutic efficacy.
- Potential applications extend beyond cancer to various other diseases.
Conclusions:
- Blood cell-based drug delivery systems represent a significant advancement over conventional methods.
- Further research and development are needed to address technical challenges for clinical translation.
- Optimizing blood cell engineering holds promise for future therapeutic strategies.
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