Biomaterials Facilitating Dendritic Cell‐Mediated Cancer Immunotherapy

Abstract

Dendritic cell (DC)-based cancer immunotherapy has exhibited remarkable clinical prospects because DCs play a central role in initiating and regulating adaptive immune responses. However, the application of traditional DC-mediated immunotherapy is limited due to insufficient antigen delivery, inadequate antigen presentation, and high levels of immunosuppression. To address these challenges, engineered biomaterials have been exploited to enhance DC-mediated immunotherapeutic effects. In this review, vital principal components that can enhance DC-mediated immunotherapeutic effects are first introduced. The parameters considered in the rational design of biomaterials, including targeting modifications, size, shape, surface, and mechanical properties, which can affect biomaterial optimization of DC functions, are further summarized. Moreover, recent applications of various engineered biomaterials in the field of DC-mediated immunotherapy are reviewed, including those serve as immune component delivery platforms, remodel the tumor microenvironment, and synergistically enhance the effects of other antitumor therapies. Overall, the present review comprehensively and systematically summarizes biomaterials related to the promotion of DC functions; and specifically focuses on the recent advances in biomaterial designs for DC activation to eradicate tumors. The challenges and opportunities of treatment strategies designed to amplify DCs via the application of biomaterials are discussed with the aim of inspiring the clinical translation of future DC-mediated cancer immunotherapies.

Near-Infrared Titania Nanoparticle-Based Photoimmunotherapy via Tumor-Microenvironment-Responsive Gene Editing of SerpinB9 for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

“…The results indicated that NIR-irradiated TiO 2– x @Cas9-RNP@HA promoted the infiltration of CD8 + T lymphocytes into the tumor tissues. DCs play a critical role in orchestrating and modulating immune responses by presenting antigens to T cells and delivering essential costimulatory signals . To further investigate the activation of antitumor immune response, we evaluated the maturation of DCs (CD11c + CD80 + CD86 + ) in tumor tissues from different groups using flow cytometry analysis.…”

“…DCs play a critical role in orchestrating and modulating immune responses by presenting antigens to T cells and delivering essential costimulatory signals. 38 To further investigate the activation of antitumor immune response, we evaluated the maturation of DCs (CD11c + CD80 + CD86 + ) in tumor tissues from different groups using flow cytometry a n a l y s i s . T h e p r o p o r t i o n o f m a t u r e d D C s (CD11c + CD80 + CD86 + ) among CD11c + cells in tumor tissues was increased upon NIR light irradiation, regardless of whether it received treatment with TiO 2−x or TiO 2−x @Cas9-RNP@HA (Figure 6D).…”

A photo-responsive self-healing hydrogel loaded with immunoadjuvants and MoS2 nanosheets for combating post-resection breast cancer recurrence

“…11 This is achieved by implementing specific strategies with the assistance of immunoadjuvants, such as toll-like-receptor-7 (TLR-7) agonist R837, to activate dendritic cell (DC) maturation, thereby inducing potent anti-tumor immune responses. [12][13][14][15] Photothermal therapy (PTT) has been shown to inhibit not only tumor growth, but also the generation of anti-tumor immunological effects by producing tumor-associated antigens from the ablated residues of tumor cells. [16][17][18] The photothermal ablation of tumors may induce vaccine-like functions, enhancing immune responses to combat cancer recurrence.…”

Harnessing biomaterial architecture to drive anticancer innate immunity

“…Biomaterials are critical modulators of the immune system used to overcome and raise immune responses against cancer. 17,20,21 This review will focus on immunomodulatory biomaterials that function through innate signaling pathways by delivering therapeutic cargo that interacts with immune cell receptors. The therapeutic cargo referred to herein encompasses a variety of biomolecules and synthetic compounds including but not limited to small molecules, peptides, oligonucleotides, and proteins.…”