Hybrid Red Blood Cell–Tumor Cell Membrane-Coated Nanoparticles for Cancer Therapy: Biological Principles, Therapeutic Applications, and Translational Challenges

Nazmi Özer; Mohammed Mh Aldako; Ibrahim Mh Aldako

doi:10.37022/wjcmpr.v8i2.403

Authors

Nazmi Özer Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Girne American University, KarmiaCampus, Girne, Mersin 10, Turkey
Mohammed Mh Aldako Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Girne American University, KarmiaCampus, Girne, Mersin 10, Turkey
Ibrahim Mh Aldako Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Girne American University, KarmiaCampus, Girne, Mersin 10, Turkey

Abstract

With 9.7 million deaths reported in 2022 and approximately 20 million new cancer cases diagnosed annually, cancer-related mortality and disease burden remain major global health concerns. The development of targeted nanomedicines is driven by the limited specificity and systemic toxicity of conventional cancer therapies. Nanoparticles can enhance therapeutic efficacy by improving permeability, retention, and active cellular uptake. Among emerging biomimetic drug delivery strategies, coating nanoparticles with natural cell membranes, particularly those derived from red blood cells (RBCs) and cancer cells, has shown considerable promise. RBC membranes prolong circulation time, enhance biocompatibility, and facilitate immune evasion through their native membrane proteins and lipid composition. In contrast, tumor-specific antigens and adhesion molecules present on cancer cell membranes enable homologous targeting of tumor cells and may stimulate antitumor immune responses. Importantly, these biological functions can be preserved when cancer cell membranes are used as nanoparticle coatings. Hybrid membrane-coated nanoparticles, generated by combining RBC and tumor cell membranes, integrate the complementary advantages of both membrane types into a single delivery platform. Such systems have been investigated for a range of applications, including tumor targeting, drug delivery, and photodynamic therapy. In this review, we examine the characteristics of RBC and tumor cell membranes, their functional roles in nanoparticle coatings, and recent advances in hybrid membrane engineering. We discuss how hybrid membrane coatings enhance circulation time, targeting efficiency, and therapeutic outcomes while addressing key challenges related to manufacturing, membrane sourcing, scalability, and clinical translation. Collectively, the available evidence highlights the potential of hybrid membrane-coated nanoparticles as multifunctional platforms for cancer nanomedicine and underscores the need for further optimization to facilitate their large-scale production and clinical implementation.

Keywords:

Cancer Nanomedicine, Red Blood Cell Membrane, Cancer Cell Membrane, Hybrid Membrane-Coated Nanoparticles, Targeted Drug Delivery, Biomimetic Nanoparticles

DOI

https://doi.org/10.37022/wjcmpr.v8i2.403

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