Platelet-Drug Conjugates Engineered via One-step Fusion Approach for Cancer Treatment

Platelets produced by megakaryocytes have the properties to target circulating tumor cells (CTCs)(1), injured sites(2), and inflamed tissues(3). However, approaches to engineering platelet-drug conjugates face challenges. Here, we have developed a one-step fusion strategy for multidrug loading in 5 minutes. As the model drugs, a proinflammatory cytokine (IL-15) and a chemotherapeutic agent (doxorubicin) were proved to be loaded on the membrane and into the cytoplasm of platelets. This demonstrated a synergistic therapeutic effect to suppress lung metastasis and postoperative recurrence.