Emerging role of nanotechnology in cancer immunotherapy

Abstract

Cancer, a genetic and metabolic disease, caused by mutations of gene, dysregulated metabolism or environment factors. Since the cancer rate is among the highest in the 20th century and the incidence keeps elevating in the 21st century, it has been expected that 25% of the population will suffer from cancer during their lifetime. Thus, the study of new targeting vaccines and corresponding specific drugs as well as immunotherapeutic strategies are on in urgent need today. With the rapid development and wide application of nano-sized particles (NPs) and materials in recent years, nanotechnology plays an increasingly significant role in immunotherapy for cancer, such as nano-vaccines, nano-ACT and so on. Despite nanoparticles can be designed in various forms and functions to satisfy personalized demands, this technology still faces many challenges of safety and efficacy. In this review, the latest researches and prospects of for cancer immunotherapies based on nanotechnology are summarized. Additionally, withdraws and focus points of nanotechnology-immunotherapies are also discussed.