Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLPs) are spontaneously generated from viral capsid proteins. VLPs imitate genuine viruses visually and physiologically, but lack viral DNA. Various VLP designs provide structural and functional appeal. Spontaneous polymerization of viral capsid proteins may result in the formation of VLPs with geometrical symmetry, which are often icosahedral, spherical, or rod-like. Moreover, functionalized VLPs may precisely target cancer cells and recruit macrophages to destroy them. The ability to target tumors for therapeutic drug delivery through VLP-based delivery platforms in novel and intriguing aspects related to cancer treatment is the primary goal of VLP design. Cancer therapies require precise targeting of diagnostic or therapeutic elements to tumor cells while avoiding healthy cells and tissues. VLPs offer an innovative approach as site-specific drug delivery systems, reducing systemic toxicity and minimizing injury to healthy cells. Immunotherapy, which boosts the host's immune system, has fewer side effects. Cancer vaccines aim to induce an immune response that provides protection against tumor cells. Due to their naturally fitted particle size and repetitive structural order, VLPs may be employed as a vaccine without any adjuvant. Recombinant VLP structures can be enhanced by including antigenic epitopes of viruses or different disease-related antigens, and targeting peptides to the interior and exterior surfaces, making them potential tools for future immunizations with preventive and regenerative qualities. Additionally, VLP-based delivery strategies may enhance immunogenicity and provide a more effective and safer approach to managing solid cancers with fewer side effects compared to chemotherapy or radiation. However, the production of chimeric VLPs still faces challenges, such as the need for more reliable preclinical animal models and associated costs. Despite these obstacles, ongoing research will improve VLP-based technologies and increase their potential advantages. This review aims to provide basic information on VLPs and outline current studies on their use as drug and vaccine delivery systems in different cancers, highlighting their potential as a promising cancer treatment strategy. The key terms in the literature search-including drug delivery, gene therapy, multi-capsid VLPs, and virus-like particles (VLPs)-were searched in international databases, namely Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus from 2003 to 2022.