In an article recently published in the journal ACS Applied Bio Materials, researchers discussed the utility of neutrophil cell membrane coating of a self-assembly nanoconstruct to enable high specificity for triple-negative breast cancer treatment.
Severity of Breast Cancer
With a 12% lifetime risk for women, breast cancer (BC) continues to be the second most prevalent cancer diagnosed in women in the United States. The majority of treatment for advanced breast cancer, metastatic breast cancer, and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the systemic injection of chemotherapeutic drugs because there are relatively few foods and drug administration (FDA)-approved medicines for such aggressive forms of the disease. The survival rate of patients was dramatically increased by chemotherapy using cytotoxic drugs. However, because of their non-specific distribution, chemotherapy might cause side effects such as induced neutropenia, cardiotoxicity, peripheral neurotoxicity, and myelosuppression.
Nanotechnology in Medical Treatment
The development of medication delivery systems based on nanotechnology has made considerable advancements in overcoming traditional constraints. Drug delivery methods based on nanoparticles (NP) have significantly advanced the field of cancer treatment.
The reticular endothelial system (RES), which clears these exogenous materials despite their therapeutic benefits, prevents tumor penetration by generating subtherapeutic concentrations in combination with a dense extracellular matrix. The use of artificial cell membranes or cell membranes obtained from nature can be included in synthetic constructs or NPs using the biomimetic NP method, a novel type of nanoplatform.
Numerous Cell Membrane-Coated Nanoparticles
Numerous cell membrane-coated NPs using membranes from platelets and nucleated cells are described in the literature. According to literature findings, NPs with cell membrane (MEM) coatings already actively express their self-markers, enabling them to adhere to tumor cells and locations.
Biomimetic Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Triple Negative Breast Cancer
In this article, the authors discussed developing a biomimetic NP construct with NPs encased in cell membranes that demonstrated a particular affinity for triple-negative breast cancer cells. The team created biomimetic supramolecular nanoconstructs with a core made of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)-tannic acid (PVP-TA NPs/PVT NPs) and biofunctionalized with neutrophil cell membranes (PVT-NEU NPs). A PVT-NEU NP construct was synthesized, described, and tested in vitro and in vivo for enhanced targeting and therapeutic effects.
The team discussed the possibility of biomimetic NPs as a promising therapeutic choice for targeted medication delivery for advanced-stage breast cancer and other diseases of a similar nature. The creation of a perfect neutrophil-cloaked NP supramolecular construct for improved tumor-targeted administration was described. To find a suitable membrane-cloaked NP construct, various cellular binding interactions, biological tests, and bio-distribution/tumor targeting investigations were demonstrated. An ectopic xenograft tumor, the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer mouse model, was used to confirm the superior anti-tumor efficacy of the neutrophil membrane-cloaked NP construct.
The researchers demonstrated that the inherent membrane features of the proposed NPs, which resulted in improved circulation, self-binding capacity, and recognition/targeting capabilities of the source cells, allowed for successful targeting and tumor delivery overall. Due to cell-specific binding, these nanostructures not only enhanced binding to the initial tumor site but also could target the metastatic tumor.
Biological Characteristics of PVP-TA NPs
The core of PVP-TA NPs coated with activated human neutrophil membranes was present, according to the analysis of PVT-NEU NPs. The study’s findings supported PVTNEU NPs’ increased targeting and engagement with tumor cells, which enhanced a model therapeutic agent’s therapeutic activity. In contrast to PVT NPs, PVT-NEU NPs showed pronounced binding to MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells, while breast epithelial cells, MCF10A, displayed very little internalization, indicating a preference for absorption in cancer cells as opposed to noncancer cells. PTX-loaded PVT NP treatment dramatically reduced the IC50 values compared to unloaded PTX.
Compared to PTX alone in MDA-MB-231, PTX-loaded PVT-NEU NPs demonstrated a substantial change of 2.95-fold reduction. When compared to PVT NPs, PVT-NEU NPs showed significantly greater tumor retention of the ICG dye after 72 hours. PTX solution demonstrated a 52% reduction in tumor growth compared to control mice.
The results of the SDS-PAGE Coomassie stain indicated that LFA-1, MAC-1, PSGL-1, and PECAM-1 could be present. Although PVT-NEU NPs appeared to have fewer proteins than NEU, the presence of membrane proteins showed that these proteins were properly translocated to the surface of PVT NPs. When the NPs were loaded with the fluorescent dye C6, there was a greater uptake of PVTNEU NPs than PVT NPs both intracellularly and in situ.
Conclusions and Future Perspectives
In conclusion, this study described the creation, improvement, and characterization of a biomimetic nanoconstruct that combined cell membrane properties and provided the NPs with a biological identity for treating breast cancer cells.
In a xenograft mouse model, neutrophil membrane-coated nanoconstructs showed tumor retention, enhanced cellular targeting, and relatively less biodistribution in healthy organs. PTX-loaded PVT-NEU NPs showed better anti-migratory, antiproliferative, and anti-colonogenic activities. Comparing this nanoconstruct to uncoated NPs and the natural drug paclitaxel, it decreased systemic toxicity, showed better in vivo therapeutic effect, and good hemocompatibility.
The authors stated that this method of biomimetic-designed nanoconstructs has promise as a drug delivery system with the potential for enhanced therapeutic outcomes, active tumor targeting, and fewer adverse effects compared to traditional chemotherapy for the treatment of breast cancer. They mentioned that the results of this study could be used to inform the design of experiments for the targeted drug delivery to the tumor site for additional disease models with comparable traits.

News
Scientists Invent Plastic That Can Dissolve In Seawater In Just A Few Hours
Plastic waste and pollution in the sea have been among the most serious environmental problems for decades, causing immense damage to marine life and ecosystems. However, a breakthrough discovery may offer a game-changing solution. [...]
Muscles from the 3D printer
Swiss researchers have developed a method for printing artificial muscles out of silicone. In the future, these could be used on both humans and robots. Swiss researchers have succeeded in printing artificial muscles out [...]
Beneficial genetic changes observed in regular blood donors
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have identified genetic changes in blood stem cells from frequent blood donors that support the production of new, non-cancerous cells. Understanding the differences in the mutations that accumulate [...]
Shocking Amounts of Microplastics in the Brain – It Could Be Increasing Our Risk of Dementia
The brain has higher concentrations of plastic particles compared to other organs, with increased levels found in dementia patients. In a comprehensive commentary published in Brain Medicine, researchers highlight alarming new evidence of microplastic accumulation [...]
Baffling Scientists for Centuries: New Study Unravels Mystery of Static Electricity
ISTA physicists demonstrate that contact electrification depends on the contact history of materials. For centuries, static electricity has intrigued and perplexed scientists. Now, researchers from the Waitukaitis group at the Institute of Science and [...]
Tumor “Stickiness” – Scientists Develop Potential New Way To Predict Cancer’s Spread
UC San Diego researchers have developed a device that predicts breast cancer aggressiveness by measuring tumor cell adhesion. Weakly adherent cells indicate a higher risk of metastasis, especially in early-stage DCIS. This innovation could [...]
Scientists Just Watched Atoms Move for the First Time Using AI
Scientists have developed a groundbreaking AI-driven technique that reveals the hidden movements of nanoparticles, essential in materials science, pharmaceuticals, and electronics. By integrating artificial intelligence with electron microscopy, researchers can now visualize atomic-level changes that were [...]
Scientists Sound Alarm: “Safe” Antibiotic Has Led to an Almost Untreatable Superbug
A recent study reveals that an antibiotic used for liver disease patients may increase their risk of contracting a dangerous superbug. An international team of researchers has discovered that rifaximin, a commonly prescribed antibiotic [...]
Scientists Discover Natural Compound That Stops Cancer Progression
A discovery led by OHSU was made possible by years of study conducted by University of Portland undergraduates. Scientists have discovered a natural compound that can halt a key process involved in the progression [...]
Scientists Just Discovered an RNA That Repairs DNA Damage – And It’s a Game-Changer
Our DNA is constantly under threat — from cell division errors to external factors like sunlight and smoking. Fortunately, cells have intricate repair mechanisms to counteract this damage. Scientists have uncovered a surprising role played by [...]
What Scientists Just Discovered About COVID-19’s Hidden Death Toll
COVID-19 didn’t just claim lives directly—it reshaped mortality patterns worldwide. A major international study found that life expectancy plummeted across most of the 24 analyzed countries, with additional deaths from cardiovascular disease, substance abuse, and mental [...]
Self-Propelled Nanoparticles Improve Immunotherapy for Non-Invasive Bladder Cancer
A study led by Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) and the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) in South Korea details the creation of urea-powered nanomotors that enhance immunotherapy for bladder cancer. The nanomotors [...]
Scientists Develop New System That Produces Drinking Water From Thin Air
UT Austin researchers have developed a biodegradable, biomass-based hydrogel that efficiently extracts drinkable water from the air, offering a scalable, sustainable solution for water access in off-grid communities, emergency relief, and agriculture. Discarded food [...]
AI Unveils Hidden Nanoparticles – A Breakthrough in Early Disease Detection
Deep Nanometry (DNM) is an innovative technique combining high-speed optical detection with AI-driven noise reduction, allowing researchers to find rare nanoparticles like extracellular vesicles (EVs). Since EVs play a role in disease detection, DNM [...]
Inhalable nanoparticles could help treat chronic lung disease
Nanoparticles designed to release antibiotics deep inside the lungs reduced inflammation and improved lung function in mice with symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease By Grace Wade Delivering medication to the lungs with inhalable nanoparticles [...]
New MRI Study Uncovers Hidden Lung Abnormalities in Children With Long COVID
Long COVID is more than just lingering symptoms—it may have a hidden biological basis that standard medical tests fail to detect. A groundbreaking study using advanced MRI technology has uncovered significant lung abnormalities in [...]