Microorganisms as Vehicles for Targeted Drug Delivery: Applications and Prospects

Microbial-targeted drug delivery systems represent an emerging and rapidly developing therapeutic strategy, garnering widespread attention for their potential. By utilizing engineered microorganismssuch as probiotics, Escherichia coli, and bacteriophagesas drug carriers, these systems enable precise, targeted drug delivery and controlled release, particularly in the treatment of tumors, autoimmune diseases, and inflammatory conditions. Microorganisms offer distinct advantages by navigating complex physiological and pathological environments through their inherent chemotaxis, metabolic adaptability, and responsiveness to specific lesions, thus significantly enhancing drug efficacy while minimizing side effects on healthy tissues . This review explores the latest advancements in microbial-targeted drug delivery systems, highlighting key technologies such as microbial engineering, metabolic pathway reconstruction, cell surface modification, and microbial targeting optimization. Additionally, we address the challenges these systems face in clinical application, including biosafety concerns, drug delivery efficiency, and regulatory and ethical issues. With ongoing innovations in engineering microbiology, microbial-targeted drug delivery systems hold promise for achieving more precise and effective treatments in the future.