With the success of several clinical trials of products based on human serum albumin (HSA) and the rapid development of nanotechnology, HSA-based nanodrug delivery systems (HBNDSs) have received extensive attention in the field of nanomedicine. However, there is still a lack of comprehensive reviews exploring the broader scope of HBNDSs in biomedical applications beyond cancer therapy. To address this gap, this review takes a systematic approach. Firstly, it focuses on the crystal structure and the potential binding sites of HSA. Additionally, it provides a comprehensive summary of recent progresses in the field of HBNDSs for various biomedical applications over the past five years, categorized according to the type of therapeutic drugs loaded onto HSA. These categories include small-molecule drugs, inorganic materials and bioactive ingredients. Finally, the review summarizes the characteristics and current application status of HBNDSs in drug delivery, and also discusses the challenges that need to be addressed for the clinical transformation of HSA formulations and offers future perspectives in this field.

The current strategy of co-delivering copper ions and disulfiram (DSF) to generate cytotoxic CuET faces limitations in achieving rapid and substantial CuET production, specifically in tumor lesions. To overcome this challenge, we introduce a novel burst-release cascade reactor composed of phase change materials (PCMs) encapsulating ultrasmall Cu_2-xSe nanoparticles (NPs) and DSF (DSF/Cu_2-xSe@PCM). Once triggered by second near-infrared (NIR-II) light irradiation, the reactor swiftly releases Cu_2-xSe NPs and DSF, enabling catalytic reactions that lead to the rapid and massive production of Cu_2-xSe-ET complexes, thereby achieving in situ chemotherapy. The mechanism of the burst reaction is due to the unique properties of ultrasmall Cu_2-xSe NPs, including their small size, multiple defects, and high surface activity. These characteristics allow DSF to be directly reduced and chelated on the surface defect sites of Cu_2-xSe, forming Cu_2-xSe-ET complexes without the need for copper ion release. Additionally, Cu_2-xSe-ET has demonstrated a similar (to CuET) anti-tumor activity through increased autophagy, but with even greater potency due to its unique two-dimensional-like structure. The light-triggered cascade of interlocking reactions, coupled with in situ explosive generation of tumor-suppressive substances mediated by the size and valence of Cu_2-xSe, presents a promising approach for the development of innovative nanoplatforms in the field of precise tumor chemotherapy.

This article reviews the general principles and strategies for constructing protein-mineralized nanomaterials (PMNMs). Subsequently, the progress of PMNMs in bioimaging, anti-tumor, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory therapies is summarized.

Efficient generation of bioactive and structurally preserved decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) is critical for regenerative medicine applications. Conventional decellularization techniques, however, frequently utilize detergents such as sodium dodecyl sulfate and Triton X-100, which may compromise ECM integrity, diminish retention of bioactive components and impair mechanical properties. To address these limitations, we present a supercritical CO2 (scCO2)-assisted co-solvent strategy for efficient decellularization of porcine dermis, yielding a bioactive acellular dermal matrix (ADM) patch with high clinical potential in cutaneous wound healing. Porcine dermal sheets were first subjected to scCO2-ethanol co-solvent treatment (28 MPa, 40°C, 6 h) followed by rapid depressurization. The solvent system was then switched to scCO2-water co-solvent with concurrent ultrasonic washing. After subsequent depressurization, pure scCO2 was introduced to achieve supercritical drying. Compared with detergent-based methods, scCO2-derived ADM demonstrated enhanced retention of bioactive components and superior mechanical properties. In vitro experiments demonstrated excellent biocompatibility, promoting L929 cell proliferation and migration, with minimal cytotoxicity and low apoptosis rates. In a full-thickness skin defect model in mice, the scCO2-derived ADM accelerated wound closure, enhanced collagen deposition and significantly improved angiogenesis and ECM remodeling. Overall, this scCO2-based decellularization approach provides a robust, efficient and environmentally friendly platform for preparing high-performance dECM scaffolds, offering promising prospects for clinical applications in skin regeneration.