Tumor Targeted Nanocarriers for Immunotherapy

Abstract

The paramount discovery of passive accumulation of nanoparticles in tumoral tissues triggered the development of a wide number of different nanoparticles capable of transporting therapeutic agents to tumoral tissues in a controlled and selective way. These nanocarriers have been endowed with important capacities such as stimuli-responsive properties, targeting abilities, or the capacity to be monitored by imaging techniques. However, after decades of intense research efforts, only a few nanomedicines have reached the market. The reasons for this disappointing outcome are varied, from the high tumor-type dependence of enhanced permeation and retention (EPR) effect to the poor penetration capacity of nanocarriers within the cancerous tissue, among others. The rapid nanoparticle clearance by immune cells, considered another important barrier, which compromises the efficacy of nanomedicines, would become an important ally in the fight against cancer. In the last years, the fine-tuned ability of immune cells to recognize and engulf nanoparticles have been exploited to deliver immunoregulating agents to specific immune cell populations selectively. In this work, the recent advances carried out in the development of nanocarriers capable of operating with immune and tumoral cells in order to orchestrate an efficient antitumoral response will be presented. The combination of nanoparticles and immunotherapy would deliver powerful weapons to the clinicians that offer safer and more efficient antitumoral treatments for the patients.

Targeting the “Sweet Side” of Tumor with Glycan-Binding Molecules Conjugated-Nanoparticles: Implications in Cancer Therapy and Diagnosis

“…Increasing evidence has pinpointed TME as the major target of nanomedicine. NPs have the potential to interact with the TME in unexpected ways and to ultimately and critically affect performance and tumor response [ 108 , 109 ]. A wide range of NPs with different physicochemical characteristics has been developed to stimulate the immune system and battle cancer [ 66 , 110 ].…”

“…For example, the N-glycan containing terminal β-galactose can be recognized by galectins, a class of endogenous lectin that bind specially to β-galactoside sugars, modulating the macrophages functions [ 123 ]. Given this, several attempts are underway to develop therapies to foster TAMs polarization into cancer-suppressive phenotypes, such as sugar agonists or antagonist treatments and nanoparticles-based approaches [ 109 , 124 ].…”

Nano-Enhanced Cancer Immunotherapy: Immunology Encounters Nanotechnology

“…Given their abundance, their regulatory function, and their specific phagocytic capacity, TAMs represent excellent cellular targets for nanoparticular delivery. Recent evidence suggests that nanoparticles can be directed to tumor-resident TAMs and, depending on the nanoparticular formulation, be utilized to deplete or repolarize M2 TAMs ( Figure 2 C) [ 82 , 100 ]. First preclinical data in mouse tumor models combining nanoparticular M2 targeting with immunotherapy provide grounds for optimism.…”

Hyperthermia Induced by Gold Nanoparticles and Visible Light Photothermy Combined with Chemotherapy to Tackle Doxorubicin Sensitive and Resistant Colorectal Tumor 3D Spheroids

“…Nanomedicine puts forward a multitude of conceptual tools to tackle cancer cells directly and/or to improve the delivery of therapeutic moieties, such as drugs, small interfering RNA (siRNA), antibodies, etc. [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]. Among these, nanoparticles able to convey different therapeutic cargos and with unique physico-chemical properties have allowed the design of novel combinatory strategies to tackle cancer [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ].…”

“…[ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]. Among these, nanoparticles able to convey different therapeutic cargos and with unique physico-chemical properties have allowed the design of novel combinatory strategies to tackle cancer [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) possess remarkable optical properties that depend on their easy tunable size and shape and a large surface area to volume ratio, optimal for ease of functionalization with different agents [ 12 ].…”