Bioinspired nanoparticles-based drug delivery systems for cancer theranostics

Nanobiotechnology is a branch of study that lies at the intersection of nanotechnology and biotechnology and provides an exalted manifesto that, when translated to the formation of different shapes and structures at the nanometric dimension, exhibits a plethora of biomedical applications. Nanobiotechnology has spawned an array of new multifaced bioinspired nanoparticles (NPs) as delivery vehicles for various bioactive molecules (drugs, genes, proteins, etc.) with increased efficacy, higher specificity for tissues, cells, intracellular circutry and enhanced tissue permeability, protracted retention within tissues and cells, and sustained drug release profile. Multimodal theranostics (therapy plus diagnostic) takes advantage of the power of nanobiotechnology and has evolved as an encouraging tool in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Smart design and synthesis of bioinspired NPs, thus, represent a rousing tool in various theranostic applications rendering effective imaging and proficient therapy for various cancers. Importantly, these NPs are considered to be superior to their conventional counterpart for their easy synthesis, low toxicity, economically viable, and eco-friendly nature. In this chapter, we are going to delineate the cancer theranostics applications of bio-inspired NPs including liposomes, lipidic NPs, protein NPs, viral NPs, apoferritin, and inorganic NPs. Finally, the chapter sheds light on the future directions of bioinspired NPs in cancer therapy and diagnostics applications.