Drug delivery systems (DDSs) represent an emerging focus for many researchers and they are becoming progressively crucial in the development of new treatments. Great attention is given to all the challenges that a drug has to overcome during its journey across barriers and tissues and all the pharmacokinetics modulations that are needed in order to reach the targeting sites. The goal of these pathways is the delivery of drugs in a controlled way, optimizing their bioavailability and minimizing side effects. Recent innovations in DDSs include various nanotechnology-based approaches, such as nanoparticles, nanofibers and micelles, which provide effective targeted delivery and sustained release of therapeutics. In this context, protein-based drug delivery systems are gaining significant attention in the pharmaceutical field due to their potential to revolutionize targeted and efficient drug delivery. As natural biomolecules, proteins offer distinct advantages, including safety, biocompatibility and biodegradability, making them a fascinating alternative to synthetic polymers. Moreover, protein-based carriers, including those derived from gelatin, albumin, collagen, gliadin and silk proteins, demonstrate exceptional stability under physiological conditions, and they allow for controlled and sustained drug release, enhancing therapeutic efficacy. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current trends, challenges, and future perspectives in protein-based drug delivery, focusing on the types of proteins adopted and the techniques that are being developed to enhance their functionality in terms of drug affinity and targeting capabilities, underscoring their potential to significantly impact modern therapeutics.
Keywords: albumin; collagen; drug delivery; gelatin; gliadin; proteins; silk proteins; soybean proteins; zein.