Various nanomaterials have recently become fascinating tools in cancer diagnostic applications because of their multifunctional and inherent molecular characteristics that support efficient diagnosis and image-guided therapy. Zein nanoparticles are a protein derived from maize. It belongs to the class of prolamins possessing a spherical structure with conformational properties similar to those of conventional globular proteins like ribonuclease and insulin. Zein nanoparticles have gained massive interest over the past couple of years owing to their natural hydrophilicity, ease of functionalization, biodegradability, and biocompatibility, thereby improving oral bioavailability, nanoparticle targeting, and prolonged drug administration. Thus, zein nanoparticles are becoming a promising candidate for precision cancer drug delivery. This review highlights the clinical significance of applying zein nanosystems for cancer theragnostic─moreover, the role of zein nanosystems for cancer drug delivery, anticancer agents, and gene therapy. Finally, the difficulties and potential uses of these NPs in cancer treatment and detection are discussed. This review will pave the way for researchers to develop theranostic strategies for precision medicine utilizing zein nanosystems.

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彻底改变癌症治疗：玉米醇溶蛋白纳米系统的前景

各种纳米材料最近已成为癌症诊断应用中令人着迷的工具，因为它们具有支持高效诊断和图像引导治疗的多功能和固有的分子特性。玉米醇溶蛋白纳米粒子是一种从玉米中提取的蛋白质。它属于具有球形结构的醇溶蛋白类别，其构象特性与核糖核酸酶和胰岛素等传统球状蛋白相似。玉米醇溶蛋白纳米颗粒由于其天然亲水性、易于功能化、生物降解性和生物相容性，在过去几年中引起了广泛的兴趣，从而提高了口服生物利用度、纳米颗粒靶向性和延长给药时间。因此，玉米醇溶蛋白纳米颗粒正在成为精准癌症药物递送的有前途的候选者。这篇综述强调了应用玉米醇溶蛋白纳米系统进行癌症治疗诊断的临床意义，此外，玉米醇溶蛋白纳米系统在癌症药物输送、抗癌药物和基因治疗中的作用。最后，讨论了这些纳米粒子在癌症治疗和检测中的困难和潜在用途。本综述将为研究人员开发利用玉米醇溶蛋白纳米系统的精准医疗治疗诊断策略铺平道路。