Blood cells as supercarrier systems for advanced drug delivery

In recent years, drug delivery has emerged as a more and more popular drug administration means for the improvement of pharmacokinetics, minimization of side effects, and enhancement of clinical outcomes. However, rapid clearance from the blood flow by immune systems limits the performance of drugs injected into the blood circulation. Thus, a new avenue for drug delivery systems by using the blood cells has drawn increasing attention. Blood cells can protect the drugs from macrophage uptake, prolong their circulation time, and improve their biocompatibility and stability. Here, we review recent advances in the developments and applications of numerous blood cell-based drug delivery systems and those inspired by blood cells. We highlight examples of vascular drug delivery using carriers red blood cells, white blood cells as well as platelets. We expect that this review will provide a jumping-off point or an inspiration for further investigation in this area.