Cysteine‐Based Biomaterials as Drug Nanocarriers

Abstract In the past decade, a variety of cysteine‐based multifunctional biomaterials has been successfully developed for drug delivery and proven invaluable in campaigns against human disease. Despite several significant achievements, a systematic investigation of the structure–property relationships in the field of drug delivery has not been performed. In this review, a variety of up‐to‐date literature results are discussed and compiled in which cysteine and its derivatives have been used in the preparation of payload delivery systems for the treatment of human disease. Particular emphasis is placed on the synthesis methods, especially the structure–property relationship for drug delivery and disease therapy. Additionally, this review focuses on recent innovations in redox‐responsive nanocarriers based on cysteine and its derivatives for in vivo drug delivery to achieve a better therapeutic effect. In summary, nanocarriers based on cysteine and its derivatives have the potential to enhance the efficiency of human disease therapy without increasing toxicity.