Delivery of PTEN protein into tumor cells as a promising strategy for cancer therapy via active albumin nanoparticles: A hypothesis

The phosphate and tensin homology (PTEN) protein, often mutated or absent in tumor cells, compromises its role as a tumor suppressor. Addressing this deficit in PTEN functionality within tumor cells holds immense promise for effective anti-tumor strategies. Notably, the high expression of glycoprotein 60 (Gp60, also named as albondin) in vascular endothelial cells, serving as a prevalent albumin receptor, and the overexpression of secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC, also called as osteonectin or BM40) in various tumor types as an albumin-binding protein, underscore a potential avenue for targeted therapy. Building upon our prior investigations, we posit a hypothesis: leveraging active human serum albumin could facilitate the delivery of PTEN protein into tumor cells. This proposed approach capitalizes on the ability of active albumin to target tumor cells via Gp60- and SPARC-mediated pathways. If successful, this innovative strategy not only offers novel prospects for tumor therapy but also introduces fresh perspectives on protein delivery mechanisms. This hypothesis not only opens new avenues for tumor therapy but also offers innovative insights into protein delivery methodologies.