T Cell and Natural Killer Cell Membrane-Camouflaged Nanoparticles for Cancer and Viral Therapies

Sep 21, 2026

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Extensive research covers nanoparticles for cancer and infectious disease treatment, positioning them as efficient drug delivery systems due to their adaptable design and unique performance. Key limitations remain, including biological instability, poor selectivity, immune recognition, and rapid elimination. Biomimetic nanotechnology addresses these barriers by using T cell and natural killer (NK) cell membrane–encased nanoparticles, transferring immunological surface proteins during extraction and coating. The resulting nanosystems prolong circulation, support targeted delivery, enable controlled release, reduce in vivo toxicity, and mitigate immune clearance. The review details extraction, fabrication, applications, and ongoing medical implementation challenges.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages23

Reading Time58 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

1. Introduction

Cancer background and current therapies

Infectious diseases and viral threats

Nanoparticles in cancer diagnosis and treatment

Key barriers to clinical translation and immune clearance

Biomimetic membrane-camouflaged nanoparticle strategy

This article is licensed under CC-BY 4.0 [www.acsabm.org](www.acsabm.org) Review T Cell and Natural Killer Cell Membrane-Camouflaged Nanoparticles for Cancer and Viral Therapies Fatma Ozsoy, Mahir Mohammed, Nasrullah Jan, Elif Lulek, and Yavuz Nuri Ertas* Cite This: ACS Appl. Bio Mater. 2024, 7, 2637−2659 Read Online | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | ACCESS | Metrics & More | | Article Recommendations | ABSTRACT: Extensive research has been conducted on the application of nanoparticles in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Due to their exceptional characteristics and flexible structure, they are classified as highly efficient drug delivery systems, ensuring both safety and targeted delivery. Nevertheless, nanoparticles still encounter obstacles, such as biological instability, absence of selectivity, recognition as unfamiliar elements, and quick elimination, which restrict their remedial capacity. To surmount these drawbacks, biomimetic nanotechnology has been developed that utilizes T cell and natural killer (NK) cell membrane-encased nanoparticles as sophisticated methods of administering drugs. These nanoparticles can extend the duration of drug circulation and avoid immune system clearance. During the membrane extraction and coating procedure, the surface proteins of immunological cells are transferred to the biomimetic nanoparticles. Such proteins present on the surface of cells confer several benefits to nanoparticles, including prolonged circulation, enhanced targeting, controlled release, specific cellular contact, and reduced in vivo toxicity. This review focuses on biomimetic nanosystems that are derived from the membranes of T cells and NK cells and their comprehensive extraction procedure, manufacture, and applications in cancer treatment and viral infections. Furthermore, potential applications, prospects, and existing challenges in their medical implementation are highlighted. KEYWORDS: Cancer therapy, T cells, Natural killer cells, Biomimetic nanoparticles, Cell membrane coating 1. INTRODUCTION Cancer is a disease caused by uncontrolled cell proliferation that is invasive and metastatic in nature. Cancerous cells differ from normal/healthy cells in terms of enhanced invasive nature and decreased drug sensitivity to the site of action. Until now, cancer therapy has been carried out on the basis of pathological and clinical staging utilizing different diagnostic methods, such as conventional histopathological and radiological examinations. Conventional cancer therapy is restricted to radiation, surgery, and chemotherapy. 1−5 Caused by bacterial, viral, fungal, and other microorganisms, infectious diseases are a major global health issue. Despite progress, molecular mechanisms of host−microbe interactions remain elusive, which leads to poor treatment responses and drug resistance.6,7 RNA virus infections, such as HIV, Zika, and SARS-CoV-2, pose significant health threats. Currently, antiretroviral therapy and neutralizing antibodies are used, but treatment outcomes remain unsatisfactory. Innovative therapeutics against virus infectious diseases are needed before valid vaccination or treatment.8,9 Nanoparticles (NPs) have been broadly explored in cancer diagnosis and treatment.10, 11 Notwithstanding their benefits, the realization of successful clinical translation of nanomaterials remains elusive. The major hurdles that account for the discrepancy between academic and clinical results are due to the reticuloendothelial system (RES), which identifies NPs as unfamiliar substances and eliminates them.12 Furthermore, the intricate vascular milieu, including immune cells and elevated concentrations of proteins, hastens the elimination of NPs.13 PEGylation, which involves modifying the surface of NPs with polyethylene glycol, has been a crucial technique for prolonging the circulation time of NPs for many years. Nevertheless, recent research has demonstrated the emerg

FAQs

Why are T cell and natural killer (NK) membrane-camouflaged nanoparticles considered effective drug delivery systems?

They can extend drug circulation time and help evade immune system clearance, while surface proteins from immunological cells provide benefits such as targeting and controlled release.

What obstacles limit the remedial capacity of conventional nanoparticles in therapy?

Nanoparticles can suffer from biological instability, lack of selectivity, immune recognition as unfamiliar elements, and quick elimination.

How does membrane coating during nanoparticle manufacturing influence therapeutic performance?

During membrane extraction and coating, immunological cell surface proteins are transferred to the nanoparticles, which supports prolonged circulation, enhanced targeting, controlled release, and reduced in vivo toxicity.

Sep 21, 2026

Upload by Eliana