Cell Membrane Biomimetic Drug Delivery Systems Based on Ferroptosis Mechanism for Anticancer Treatment

Ferroptosis, a recently identified iron-dependent form of programmed cell death that is distinct from apoptosis, holds significant promise for the eradication of invasive malignant tumors that are resistant to conventional therapies. However, many ferroptosis inducers utilized in vivo face considerable challenges, including immune clearance, insufficient targeting, and poor biocompatibility. Biomimetic nanostructures derived from various cell membranes present a promising approach to address these issues and have emerged as a focal point of research. This paper reviews the latest advancements in biomimetic nanomaterials for ferroptosis-related tumor nanomedicine. First, it provides a concise overview of the definition, mechanisms, and inducers of ferroptosis while emphasizing the feasibility and characteristics associated with employing ferroptosis as a therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment. Subsequently, the paper introduces several representative biomimetic nanomedicines based on cell membranes--specifically those derived from red blood cells, white blood cells, and cancer cells-while discussing their respective advantages and limitations. The review then focuses on combining ferroptosis induction by membrane-derived delivery systems with multimodal therapeutic strategies for oncological treatments. Finally, we explore the challenges and opportunities related to their practical implementation.