Four Ounces Can Move a Thousand Pounds: The Enormous Value of Nanomaterials in Tumor Immunotherapy

Abstract

The application of nanomaterials in healthcare has emerged as a promising strategy due to their unique structural diversity, surface properties, and compositional diversity. In particular, they have found a significant role in improving drug delivery and inhibiting the growth and metastasis of tumor cells. Moreover, recent studies have highlighted their potential in modulating the tumor microenvironment (TME) and enhancing the activity of immune cells to improve tumor therapy efficacy. Various types of nanomaterials are currently utilized as drug carriers, immunosuppressants, immune activators, immunoassay reagents, and more for tumor immunotherapy. Necessarily, nanomaterials used for tumor immunotherapy can be grouped into two categories: organic and inorganic nanomaterials. Though both have shown the ability to achieve the purpose of tumor immunotherapy, their composition and structural properties result in differences in their mechanisms and modes of action. Organic nanomaterials can be further divided into organic polymers, cell membranes, nanoemulsion‐modified, and hydrogel forms. At the same time, inorganic nanomaterials can be broadly classified as nonmetallic and metallic nanomaterials. The current review aims to explore the mechanisms of action of these different types of nanomaterials and their prospects for promoting tumor immunotherapy.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Advances in Nanoplatforms for Immunotherapy Applications Targeting the Tumor Microenvironment

“…The tumor microenvironment is the internal environment in which tumor cells survive during the growth process, and the interaction between components in the tumor microenvironment not only promotes the occurrence, development, and metastasis of tumors; it also seriously affects the efficacy of various antitumor treatments . Unlike the normal tissue microenvironment, tumor cells have the behaviors of rapid proliferation, metabolic pathway changes, tumor vascular malformation, etc., so the tumor microenvironment has more complex and special biological characteristics. , The physiological characteristics of TME can generally be classified as (1) hypoxic, (2) acidic, (3) elevated oxidative stress, and (4) abnormal neovascularization.…”

Self-Assembled R848/Chlorin e6 Nanoparticles for Combinatorial Immunotherapy of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

“…17 Moreover, recent research has highlighted their capacity to regulate the TME and enhance the function of immune cells, thereby improving the effectiveness of tumor therapy. 18 Thus, a nanoparticle (NP)based delivery system holds significant promise for enhancing the bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy of R848. 19,20 Recently, various NPs for the targeted delivery of TLR7/8 agonists have been explored, including liposomes, metal− organic frameworks, and polymer NPs.…”

“…Encapsulating drugs within nanoparticles could overcome these limitations by enhancing solubility, maintaining drug stability, improving bioavailability, enabling tumor targeting, and reducing adverse effects . Moreover, recent research has highlighted their capacity to regulate the TME and enhance the function of immune cells, thereby improving the effectiveness of tumor therapy . Thus, a nanoparticle (NP)-based delivery system holds significant promise for enhancing the bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy of R848. , …”

Advances in nano-immunotherapy for hematological malignancies

“…Nano-immunotherapy, which combines nanotechnology with immunotherapy, has emerged as a highly promising strategy for cancer treatment [ 38 ]. Currently, diverse types of nanomaterials are utilized as drug carriers, immunosuppressants, immune activators, immunoassay reagents, and more, in tumor immunotherapy [ 39 ]. The nanomaterials used for tumor immunotherapy can be classified into organic, inorganic, and hybrid nanomaterials based on their components (Table 2 ) [ 38 , 39 ].…”

“…Currently, diverse types of nanomaterials are utilized as drug carriers, immunosuppressants, immune activators, immunoassay reagents, and more, in tumor immunotherapy [ 39 ]. The nanomaterials used for tumor immunotherapy can be classified into organic, inorganic, and hybrid nanomaterials based on their components (Table 2 ) [ 38 , 39 ]. Thanks to recent dedicated efforts, nanomaterials have shown significant potential in enhancing cancer immunotherapy in various areas, such as ACT, cancer vaccines, ICIs, molecular adjuvants, and modulation of the TME.…”