Biomimetic Nanocarriers Based on Cell Membranes for Precision Drug Delivery: Advances, Applications, and Translational Challenges Publisher



Mahmoudian F ; Ahmari A ; Shamlou S ; Adibhesami G ; Aboutalebi F ; Garshasbi S ; Fattahi F ; Kiani J
Source: BioNanoScience Published:2026

Abstract

Targeted drug delivery has become a fundamental aspect of modern pharmacotherapy, enabling the specific delivery of therapeutic agents to diseased tissues while minimizing harmful effects on healthy cells. One of the leading approaches in this field is the use of biomimetic cell membrane nanocarriers (BCNCs). These nanocarriers combine the biological functions of natural cell membranes with the physicochemical advantages of engineered nanoparticles, resulting in prolonged circulation, immune evasion, improved biocompatibility, and targeted delivery to specific diseases. Various membrane sources, such as erythrocytes, immune cells, platelets, cancer cells, mesenchymal stem cells, bacteria, and extracellular vesicles, have been used to develop biomimetic nanocarriers for a wide range of therapeutic applications, particularly in targeted drug delivery and cancer therapy. Recent advances in membrane engineering—such as membrane hybridization, lipid insertion, genetic modification, and metabolic engineering—have expanded their applications by enabling controlled drug release and customizable surface markers. This review provides a comprehensive and critical overview of recent advances in the engineering strategies, biological membrane sources, and biomedical applications of BCNCs. Beyond summarizing current progress, it critically evaluates the biological advantages, therapeutic potential, and translational limitations associated with different membrane sources and engineering approaches. Also, the major barriers to clinical translation, including the need for scalable Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-compatible production, batch-to-batch reproducibility, long-term safety, and regulatory challenges, are discussed. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2026.