Emerging platelet-based drug delivery systems
Mengkun Fang, Rui Liu, Yile Fang, Dagan Zhang, Bin Kong
Abstract
Drug delivery systems are becoming increasingly utilized; however, a major challenge in this field is the insufficient target of tissues or cells. Although efforts with engineered nanoparticles have shown some success, issues with targeting, toxicity and immunogenicity persist. Conversely, living cells can be used as drug-delivery vehicles because they typically have innate targeting mechanisms and minimal adverse effects. As active participants in hemostasis, inflammation, and tumors, platelets have shown great potential in drug delivery. This review highlights platelet-based drug delivery systems, including platelet membrane engineering, platelet membrane coating, platelet cytoplasmic drug loading, genetic engineering, and synthetic/artificial platelets for different applications. • Platelets are irreplaceable components in human beings. • There are different types of platelet-based drug delivery systems. • Platelet-based drug delivery systems can be used to treat various diseases. • A detailed summary of the benefits and limitations of platelet-based drug delivery systems is described.