Proteins: emerging carrier for delivery of cancer therapeutics

Introduction: Over the past decades, proteins have emerged as versatile carriers for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and many more diseases. Proteins have gained considerable attention in formulation of several delivery systems for anticancer drugs due to their nontoxic, non-immunogenic, biocompatible and biodegradable nature. Proteins are good candidates for conjugation with drugs as they provide good pharmacokinetics as well as better cancer tissue accumulation. Protein nanoparticulate systems are also of advancing importance owing to their modifiable functionalities and potential applications in various biological fields. The customizable nature of proteins also makes them outstanding carriers as target-specific delivery systems.