Cell membrane-coated nanoparticles for the treatment of cancer

Summary

Cell membrane-coated nanoparticles (CNPs) are a biomimetic platform that combines synthetic nanoparticle cores with natural cell membranes, offering improved biocompatibility, active targeting, and reduced toxicity for cancer treatment. This commentary reviews the advantages of CNPs, including their ability to evade immune clearance, target tumors via homotypic binding, and deliver various therapeutics such as chemotherapeutics, photothermal agents, and immunostimulatory molecules. While preclinical studies demonstrate promise in drug delivery, phototherapy, and immunotherapy, challenges remain for clinical translation, including scalable production, quality control, and immunocompatibility. Overall, CNPs represent a versatile and potentially transformative approach for cancer therapy.