Apoferritin: a potential nanocarrier for cancer imaging and drug delivery

ABSTRACT

Introduction: As a protein-based biomaterial for potential cancer targeting delivery, apoferritin has recently attracted interest.

Areas covered: In this review, we discuss the development of this cage-like protein as an endogenous nanocarrier that can hold molecules in its cavity. We present the specific characterizations and formulations of apoferritin nanocarriers, and outline the recent progress of the protein as an appropriate tumor-delivery vehicle in different therapeutic strategies to treat solid tumors. Finally, we propose how the application for cancer drug repurposing delivery within apoferritin could expand cancer treatment in the future.

Expert opinion: Being a ubiquitous iron storage protein that exists in many living organisms, apoferritin is promising as a cancer tumor-targeting nanocarrier. By exploiting its versatility, apoferritin could be used for cancer repurposed drug delivery and could reduce the high cost of new drug discovery development and shorten the formulation process.

Graphical Abstract

KEYWORDS:

• Apoferritin
• tumor targeting
• cancer imaging
• cancer drug delivery
• cancer repurposed drug

Article highlights

• Various nanomaterials are currently being evaluated in biomedicine to carry cancer therapy and imaging agents.

• Apoferritin protein-based materials are generally regarded as biocompatible, biodegradable, and physiologically stable nanocarrier, which should facilitate their translation to the clinic.

• Apoferritin nanocage possesses innate cancer tissue specificity via TfR1 receptors without the use of any targeting ligands.

• TfR1 is highly overexpressed in the surface of cancer cells compared to normal cells.

• Apoferritin can self-assembled into small nanocage nanoparticles with a simple drug-loading process.

• Apoferritin is a potential vehicle for different cancer drug delivery therapy and imaging diagnostic agent.

• Apoferritin targeting nanoparticles could be promising template for cancer repurposed drug delivery.

Declaration of interest

The author(s) have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership, or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper received funding from the Double first-class innovation team of China Pharmaceutical University (CPU2018GY40) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51472115).