Application of carbon nanotubes in cancer vaccines: Achievements, challenges and chances

Abstract

Tumour−specific, immuno−based therapeutic interventions can be considered as safe and effective approaches for cancer therapy. Exploitation of nano−vaccinology to intensify the cancer vaccine potency may overcome the need for administration of high vaccine doses or additional adjuvants and therefore could be a more efficient approach. Carbon nanotube (CNT) can be described as carbon sheet(s) rolled up into a cylinder that is nanometers wide and nanometers to micrometers long. Stemming from the observed capacities of CNTs to enter various types of cells via diversified mechanisms utilising energy−dependent and/or passive routes of cell uptake, the use of CNTs for the delivery of therapeutic agents has drawn increasing interests over the last decade. Here we review the previous studies that demonstrated the possible benefits of these cylindrical nano−vectors as cancer vaccine delivery systems as well as the obstacles their clinical application is facing.

Targeted Delivery of Mannosylated Nanoparticles Improve Prophylactic Efficacy of Immersion Vaccine against Fish Viral Disease

“…For the construction of the current SWCNTs-based vaccines, vaccines are usually conjugated with SWCNTs by the amide condensation reaction. However, the water-dispersibility and biocompatibility still limit the use of SWCNTs as a vaccine carrier [38,39]. To tackle these obstacles, in the present study, SWCNTs were modified with polyetherimide (PEI) and then conjugated with antigen protein and functional polyethylene glycol-mannose.…”

Hemocompatibility of Carbon Nanostructures

“…Exceptional length/diameter aspect ratio (up to 10 7 ), mechanical strength, and chemical and thermal stability [122], heat conduction, gas adsorption, and semiconducting behavior are some of the special properties that encourage the use of CNTs in a range of applications. In the biomedical field, the peculiarities of CNTs have been exploited to develop temperature-or pH-triggered delivery systems for proteins, DNA, anticancer drugs [124], or vaccines [125], or to improve the structural and electrical characteristics of composite scaffolds for bone, myocardium, or neural tissue engineering [126]. Moreover, CNTs have been used to produce sensors for glucose, cancer biomarkers, and nucleic acids [8], as well as patterned surfaces for stimulating cell growth and differentiation.…”

Recent Advances in Particulate Adjuvants for Cancer Vaccination

“…In addition to the aforementioned metal oxides and metal particles, carbonaceous materials have also been shown to be potential inorganic adjuvants. Two of them have been widely employed: 1D carbon nanotube (CNT) and 2D carbon nanosheet graphene oxide (GO), which are synthetic allotropes of carbon. CNT can be described as carbon sheet(s) rolled up into a cylinder that is nanometers wide and nanometers to micrometers long.…”