Advancing Cancer Immunotherapies with Nanotechnology

Abstract

Cancer immunotherapies can elicit long term, durable responses in only a fraction of patients. As such, there is a need to increase the number of patients who can benefit from cancer immunotherapies. By virtue of their versatility and nanoscale, nanoparticles have unique properties that can be exploited to enhance the efficacy of cancer immunotherapies. This review first outlines key concepts in nanotechnology and immunotherapy. Then, it highlights nanotechnology‐mediated improvements to the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors, cancer vaccines, and adoptive cellular therapies. Next, the insights derived from nanoparticle‐mediated imaging of immune cells in both preclinical and clinical studies are reviewed. Afterwards, the roles of nanotechnology in combination therapies to augment antitumoral immunity are summarized. Finally, the challenges facing this emerging field combining nanotechnology with immunotherapies are discussed. Given the exciting, novel approaches that can arise from nanotechnology, there is great potential for nanotechnology to advance immunotherapies.

Recent Advances in Cell Membrane‐Derived Biomimetic Nanotechnology for Cancer Immunotherapy

“…RBCM based nanoparticles provide a novel strategy to incorporate vaccines with high efficiency that can be prophylactic, prevent or eliminate tumors. [ 102 ]…”

Recent Advances in Nanotechnology for the Treatment of Melanoma

“…In this context, nanoparticles and biomaterials are particularly useful since are enable to program the localization, pharmacokinetics, and co-delivery of immunomodulatory compounds, eliciting responses that cannot be achieved upon administration of such compounds in solution [ 89 ]. Nanoparticles may help to improve efficacy of various immunotherapies and increase the number of patients who achieve long-term remission [ 90 ].…”

Harnessing nanomedicine to overcome the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment

“…As one promising strategy, nanomedicine represents a versatile platform that exploits nanoparticles (NPs), which are fine-tuned nanoscale materials for drug delivery and diagnosis [53]. The physicochemical properties of NPs, such as size, shape, and surface charge, can be tailored to perform controlled release of payloads, passively accumulate at tumors by enhanced permeability and retention effects, or specifically target tumors [54]. NPs incorporated with physical and biological technologies have already been utilized in the delivery of vaccine adjuvants, cytokines, and immune checkpoint blockades (ICBs) to modulate the TME (Table 1), with the aim of improving the outcomes of current radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy [55].…”