Ferritin-Based Nanomedicine: A New Frontier in Cancer Therapy

The study aims to examine the structural features, functional capabilities, and therapeutic applications of ferritin nanocages in treating cancer, emphasizing their potential as multifunctional platforms for the delivery of combined chemotherapy and phototherapy.

An extensive literature review was conducted, investigating the biochemical characteristics of ferritin, its pH-responsive assembly and disassembly, along with its structural properties critical for drug encapsulation and targeting. Additionally, the review investigated modifications made to the ferritin surface to improve tumorspecific delivery, assessed various drug loading techniques, and analyzed reported applications in preclinical cancer therapies.

Ferritin nanocages, made up of 24 subunits that form a hollow center, inherently target tumors through recognition of transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1). Their benefits include excellent biocompatibility, low toxicity, low immunogenicity, remarkable stability (up to approximately 300°C), scalable production methods, and surfaces that can be modified for ligand or drug attachment.

The above results allow for the encapsulation of numerous therapeutic agents and imaging compounds, making ferritin a versatile platform for multimodal treatments. Ferritin-based systems have shown promise in targeted chemotherapy, phototherapy, and combination therapies, leading to enhanced therapeutic efficacy and protection of the cargo.

Ferritin is a promising natural nanoplatform for targeted drug delivery to tumors and multimodal cancer treatment. Its dual functions in cancer development and therapeutic action, along with its structural flexibility, enhance its potential to improve cancer therapy. Nevertheless, barriers to clinical application persist, requiring further optimization and validation in clinical environments.