Challenges in delivering therapeutic peptides and proteins: A silk-based solution

Peptide- and protein-based therapeutics have drawn significant attention over the past few decades for the treatment of infectious diseases, genetic disorders, oncology, and many other clinical needs. Yet, protecting peptide- and protein-based drugs from degradation and denaturation during processing, storage and delivery remain significant challenges. In this review, we introduce the properties of peptide- and protein-based drugs and the challenges associated with their stability and delivery. Then, we discuss delivery strategies using synthetic polymers and their advantages and limitations. This is followed by a focus on silk protein-based materials for peptide/protein drug processing, storage, and delivery, as a path to overcome stability and delivery challenges with current systems.