Advances of functional nanomaterials for cancer immunotherapeutic applications

Wiley Interdiscip Rev Nanomed Nanobiotechnol. 2020 Mar;12(2):e1574. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1574. Epub 2019 Sep 30.

Abstract

Immunotherapy has made great progress by modulating the body's own immune system to fight against cancer cells. However, the low response rates of related drugs limit the development of immunotherapy strategies. Fortunately, the advantages of nanotechnology can just make up for this shortcoming. Nanocarriers of diverse systems are utilized to co-deliver antigens and adjuvants, combined with drugs for immunomodulatory, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and photodynamic. Here we review recent studies on immunotherapy with biomimetic, organic, and inorganic nanomaterials. They are going to potentially overcome the drawbacks in cancer immunotherapy with delivering immunomodulatory drugs, delivering cancer vaccine, and monitoring the immune systems. This article is characterized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease.

Keywords: bioimaging; cancer immunotherapy; cancer vaccine; immunomodulators; nanomedicine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy*
  • Mice
  • Nanomedicine*
  • Nanostructures
  • Neoplasms / therapy*