Abstract:Synthetic or natural materials have been used as vaccines
in cancer
immunotherapy. However, using them as vaccines necessitates multiple
injections or surgical implantations. To tackle such daunting challenges,
we develop an injectable macroporous Bombyx mori (B. mori) silk fibroin (SF) microsphere
loaded with antigens and immune adjuvants to suppress established
tumors with only a single injection. SF microspheres can serve as
a scaffold by injection and avoid surgical injury as seen in traditional
scaffold v… Show more
“…This effectively inhibited tumor growth by increasing cytotoxic T lymphocyte response (Fig. 14 A, B) [ 115 ]. SF-based tumor immunotherapy has broad application prospects, but the compatibility and safety of SF-loaded NPs have not been comprehensively discussed [ 202 , 204 ].…”
Section: Biomaterials Used In Tumor Immunotherapymentioning
Background
The immune system interacts with cancer cells in various intricate ways that can protect the individual from overproliferation of cancer cells; however, these interactions can also lead to malignancy. There has been a dramatic increase in the application of cancer immunotherapy in the last decade. However, low immunogenicity, poor specificity, weak presentation efficiency, and off-target side effects still limit its widespread application. Fortunately, advanced biomaterials effectively contribute immunotherapy and play an important role in cancer treatment, making it a research hotspot in the biomedical field.
Main body
This review discusses immunotherapies and the development of related biomaterials for application in the field. The review first summarizes the various types of tumor immunotherapy applicable in clinical practice as well as their underlying mechanisms. Further, it focuses on the types of biomaterials applied in immunotherapy and related research on metal nanomaterials, silicon nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, polymer nanoparticles, and cell membrane nanocarriers. Moreover, we introduce the preparation and processing technologies of these biomaterials (liposomes, microspheres, microneedles, and hydrogels) and summarize their mechanisms when applied to tumor immunotherapy. Finally, we discuss future advancements and shortcomings related to the application of biomaterials in tumor immunotherapy.
Conclusion
Research on biomaterial-based tumor immunotherapy is booming; however, several challenges remain to be overcome to transition from experimental research to clinical application. Biomaterials have been optimized continuously and nanotechnology has achieved continuous progression, ensuring the development of more efficient biomaterials, thereby providing a platform and opportunity for breakthroughs in tumor immunotherapy.
Graphical Abstract
“…This effectively inhibited tumor growth by increasing cytotoxic T lymphocyte response (Fig. 14 A, B) [ 115 ]. SF-based tumor immunotherapy has broad application prospects, but the compatibility and safety of SF-loaded NPs have not been comprehensively discussed [ 202 , 204 ].…”
Section: Biomaterials Used In Tumor Immunotherapymentioning
Background
The immune system interacts with cancer cells in various intricate ways that can protect the individual from overproliferation of cancer cells; however, these interactions can also lead to malignancy. There has been a dramatic increase in the application of cancer immunotherapy in the last decade. However, low immunogenicity, poor specificity, weak presentation efficiency, and off-target side effects still limit its widespread application. Fortunately, advanced biomaterials effectively contribute immunotherapy and play an important role in cancer treatment, making it a research hotspot in the biomedical field.
Main body
This review discusses immunotherapies and the development of related biomaterials for application in the field. The review first summarizes the various types of tumor immunotherapy applicable in clinical practice as well as their underlying mechanisms. Further, it focuses on the types of biomaterials applied in immunotherapy and related research on metal nanomaterials, silicon nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, polymer nanoparticles, and cell membrane nanocarriers. Moreover, we introduce the preparation and processing technologies of these biomaterials (liposomes, microspheres, microneedles, and hydrogels) and summarize their mechanisms when applied to tumor immunotherapy. Finally, we discuss future advancements and shortcomings related to the application of biomaterials in tumor immunotherapy.
Conclusion
Research on biomaterial-based tumor immunotherapy is booming; however, several challenges remain to be overcome to transition from experimental research to clinical application. Biomaterials have been optimized continuously and nanotechnology has achieved continuous progression, ensuring the development of more efficient biomaterials, thereby providing a platform and opportunity for breakthroughs in tumor immunotherapy.
Graphical Abstract
“…This means processing SF into microspheres might be a solution to develop efficient SF sunscreens. At the same time, our previous studies have developed various technologies to control the size of SF spheres from nano to micro for potential applications of tissue engineering and drug delivery. − Therefore, it is feasible to prepare SF into microspheres to avoid the diffraction of the UV light for enhancing the function of UV-protection.…”
Sunscreens play a crucial role in protecting the skin from ultraviolet (UV) damage. However, present commercial sunscreens have a tendency to generate free radicals in the UV window, resulting in serious inflammatory responses and health problems. In this study, we demonstrate that silk fibroin microspheres (SFMPs) assembled from regenerated silk fibroin (SF) could scavenge free radicals while preventing UV irradiation and thus present a promising sunscreen. The SFMP reflected more UV light than SF and presented a higher stability than that of organic commercial sunscreens. In vitro analysis proved that SFMP could more efficiently scavenge the hydroxy radical and reduce the intracellular reactive oxygen than titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ). In vivo experiments exhibited that SFMP provided stronger skin protection against UV irradiation than commercial sunscreens and TiO 2 . Furthermore, SFMP treatment significantly inhibited the skin inflammatory response. This work suggests that the SFMP has great potential to be developed into a biosafe sunscreen.
“…Our group has found that silk fibroin (SF) can be developed into a drug delivery system. − SF is a natural protein derived from silkworm cocoons and has several advantages over other carriers, such as synthetic polymers , and liposomes. , It is biocompatible, biodegradable, and can be processed into biomaterials of various sizes and shapes . Furthermore, the resultant biomaterials are expected to protect the loaded cargo from degradation and enhance its stability .…”
The increasing prevalence of bacterial multidrug antibiotic resistance has led to a serious threat to public health, emphasizing the urgent need for alternative antibacterial therapeutics. Lytic phages, a class of viruses that selectively infect and kill bacteria, offer promising potential as alternatives to antibiotics. However, injectable carriers with a desired release profile remain to be developed to deliver them to infection sites. To address this challenge, phage-loaded microparticles (Phage-MPs) have been developed to deliver phages to the infection site and release phages for an optimal therapeutic effect. The Phage-MPs are synthesized by allowing phages to be electrostatically attached onto the porous polyethylenimine-modified silk fibroin microparticles (SF-MPs). The high specific surface area of SF-MPs allows them to efficiently load phages, reaching about 1.25 × 10 10 pfu per mg of microparticles. The Phage-MPs could release phages in a controlled manner to achieve potent antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Unlike the diffuse biodistribution of free phages post-intraperitoneal injection, Phage-MPs could continuously release phages to effectively boost the local phage concentration at the bacterial infection site after they are intraperitoneally injected into an abdominal MRSA-infected mouse model. In a mouse abdominal MRSA infection model, Phage-MPs significantly reduce the bacterial load in major organs, achieving an efficient therapeutic effect. Furthermore, Phage-MPs demonstrate outstanding biocompatibility both in vitro and in vivo. Overall, our research lays the foundation for a new generation of phage-based therapies to combat antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.
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