Harnessing multifunctional HBc virus-like particles for safe and effective delivery of melittin in cancer therapy

To overcome the clinical limitations of melittin, a potent anticancer host defense peptide, by developing a multifunctional, virus-like particle (VLP)-based delivery system that enhances tumor targeting, immune activation, and therapeutic safety. A nanoplatform based on hepatitis B core virus-like particles (HBc VLPs) was engineered to encapsulate melittin. The design incorporated RGD peptides for improved tumor specificity, Tuftsin to promote phagocytosis, and M2pep to selectively target immunosuppressive M2 macrophages. An MMP-2-cleavable linker enabled tumor-specific activation, allowing controlled release of RGD-melittin and immune-stimulating peptides. Antitumor efficacy was evaluated in subcutaneous melanoma and lung metastasis mouse models. The multifunctional HBc VLP platform effectively protected melittin from enzymatic degradation, reduced off-target cytotoxicity, and improved tumor selectivity. It demonstrated significant tumor suppression and immune modulation in both melanoma and lung metastasis models, outperforming free melittin treatment. This study presents a versatile, multifunctional VLP-based nanoplatform for the safe and effective delivery of melittin, offering enhanced tumor targeting and immune activation. The findings support its potential for clinical translation as a novel cancer immunotherapy strategy.