Mimic, target, and adapt: Cell membrane-coated nanoplatforms for precision and immune-guided cancer treatment

Abstract

Cell membrane-coated nanoparticles (CM-NPs) are emerging as immune-intelligent nanoplatforms capable of integrating precise tumor targeting with immunological functionality. By harnessing the native surface architecture of donor membranes—particularly from cancer or immune cells—CM-NPs achieve immune evasion, homotypic recognition, and enhanced intratumoral retention. Beyond passive delivery, these constructs can promote antigen cross-presentation and T-cell priming, rendering them especially effective in immune-excluded or antigen-scarce tumors. Precision functionalization strategies, including aptamer-guided targeting, peptide-mediated infiltration, and magnetically navigable systems, further extend their therapeutic reach. A transformative advance lies in the use of autologous tumor-derived membranes, preserving patient-specific antigenicity and glycosylation profiles vital for adaptive immune engagement. Recent innovations in synthetic biology now enable programmable membrane design, supporting site-specific ligand attachment while maintaining immune stealth. Although challenges remain—ranging from membrane orientation fidelity to GMP-scale manufacturing—advances in microfluidics, quality control analytics, and real-time biomanufacturing are narrowing the translational gap. Together, CM-NPs represent a modular, adaptive therapeutic paradigm uniquely suited to align with the immunogenomic complexity of cancer, offering a pathway toward truly personalized and responsive immunotherapy.

Keywords

cancer / cell membrane-coated nanoparticles / homotypic targeting / immune evasion / personalized nanomedicine / translational challenges

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