Advancing Membrane Technologies for Cancer Therapy and Environmental Health: Biomimetic Innovations, Smart Technologies, and Sustainable Translation

Abstract Biomimetic and advanced membrane technologies are emerging as powerful platforms bridging biomedical and environmental applications, particularly in cancer therapy and water purification. However, current research remains fragmented, with limited integration of design principles across these domains. This review addresses this gap by presenting a unified analytical framework to systematically evaluate diverse membrane systems, including biomimetic nanoparticle membranes, exosome-based membranes, implantable devices, ultrathin functional membranes, graphene/2D membranes, and more. We comparatively assess their structural features, functional performance, industrial and clinical maturity, and scalability to highlight their complementary roles in targeted drug delivery, biosensing, and contaminant removal. Emphasis is placed on translational challenges, including manufacturing complexity, standardization, and regulatory constraints. Furthermore, emerging strategies such as AI-driven design, hybrid membrane engineering, and sensing-separation integration are critically examined as pathways to enhance performance and real-world applicability. This work provides a coherent foundation for cross-disciplinary innovation and supports the development of scalable, high-performance membrane systems for precision medicine and sustainable environmental technologies.