A novel multi-functionalized multicellular nanodelivery system for non-small cell lung cancer photochemotherapy

BACKGROUND: A red blood cell membrane (RBCm)-derived drug delivery system allows prolonged circulation of an antitumor treatment and overcomes the issue of accelerated blood clearance induced by PEGylation. However, RBCm-derived drug delivery systems are limited by low drug-loading capacities and the lack of tumor-targeting ability. Thus, new designs of RBCm-based delivery systems are needed. RESULTS: Herein, we designed hyaluronic acid (HA)–hybridized RBCm (HA&RBCm)-coated lipid multichambered nanoparticles (HA&RBCm-LCNPs) to remedy the limitations of traditional RBCm drug delivery systems. The inner core co-assembled with phospholipid-regulated glycerol dioleate/water system in HA&RBCm-LCNPs met the required level of blood compatibility for intravenous administration. These newly designed nanocarriers had a honeycomb structure with abundant spaces that efficiently encapsulated paclitaxel and IR780 for photochemotherapy. The HA&RBCm coating allowed the nanocarriers to overcome the reticuloendothelial system barrier and enhanced the nanocarriers specificity to A549 cells with high levels of CD44. These properties enhanced the combinatorial antitumor effects of paclitaxel and IR780 associated with microtubule destruction and the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. CONCLUSIONS: The multifunctional HA&RBCm-LCNPs we designed expanded the functionality of RBCm and resulted in a vehicle for safe and efficient antitumor treatment. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: [Image: see text] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12951-021-00977-3.