Protein-Caged Nanoparticles: A Promising Nanomedicine Against Cancer.

ABSTRACT

Cancer is a severe threat to human wellness. A broad range of nanoparticles (NPs) have been developed to treat cancer. Given their safety profile, natural biomolecules such as protein-based NPs (PNPs) are promising substitutes for synthetic NPs that are currently used in drug delivery systems. In particular, PNPs have diverse characteristics and are monodisperse, chemically and genetically changeable, biodegradable, and biocompatible. To promote their application in clinical settings, PNPs must be precisely fabricated to fully exploit their advantages. This review highlights the different types of proteins that can be used to produce PNPs. Additionally, the recent applications of these nanomedicines and their therapeutic benefits against cancer are explored. Several future research directions that can facilitate the clinical application of PNPs are suggested.