Red blood cell mediated drug delivery: Loading, release and clinical progress

Red blood cells have become a highly potential drug delivery platform because of their inherent biocompatibility, long-term in vivo circulation ability and excellent deformability. Controllable and instantaneous permeability of red blood cell membrane is the key strategy to achieve high-efficiency intracellular drug loading. This article comprehensively explains the structure and function of red blood cell membrane, the potential mechanism of membrane permeability and its subsequent repair, three widely used membrane permeability technologies, surface loading strategies, drug release properties and the latest clinical progress in this field. By integrating basic biological insights and technological innovations, this paper provides a valuable framework for the rational design and accelerated clinical transformation of red blood cell-mediated therapeutic systems.