Recent advances in protein corona and practical applications of nanoparticle-based therapeutic agents

In recent years, nanoparticle-based formulations have emerged as smart platforms for diagnosing and treating a wide range of diseases. However, upon systemic administration of these therapeutics, nanoparticles (NPs) interact with serum proteins, leading to the formation of a protein corona (PC) that significantly impacts their in vivo behavior. The PC plays a crucial role in the recognition of NPs by the immune system, and their clearance by phagocytic cells. Furthermore, the PC, as a biological barrier, can hinder the active targeted delivery of drugs by NPs to tissue-specific receptors. To address these challenges, artificial pre-coating procedures have been pro-posed to enhance the practical applications of nanotherapy. The current review aimed to evaluate the most critical factors affecting PC formation, composition, and function in biological environments, while also high-lighting recent advancements in NPs pre-coating approaches to overcome PC-induced limitations in the clinical applications of nanomedicines. Furthermore, we discussed clinical barriers, long-term safety, and effectiveness of these strategies.