Small-molecule agents for cancer immunotherapy

Nanoparticles targeting the adenosine pathway for cancer immunotherapy

“…These drugs have high bioavailability, efficient absorption and distribution, good drug stability, and lasting therapeutic effects. 101,102 However, the complex environments in organisms present challenges for small-molecule drugs, such as low solubility, and difficulty in penetrating biofilms. A nano delivery system uses high specific surface area, good biocompatibility and controlled release, and other good properties to encapsulate or adsorb small drug molecules inside or on the surface, to achieve stable protection, efficient delivery and targeted release of drugs.…”

Design and characterization of multiplex gene-edited CAR-T cells resistant to orthogonal immunosuppressive pathways within the solid tumor microenvironment

“…Another strategy is the use of CAR-T cell therapy in conjunction with small molecules targeting immunosuppressive pathways within the TME. For instance, small molecule inhibitors of the adenosine pathway, such as A2AR antagonists, or drugs targeting the TGF-β pathway have shown promise in preclinical models and clinical trials [67][68][69][70][71][72]. By blocking adenosine-or TGFβ-mediated immunosuppression, these agents can potentiate the function of CAR-T cells in the hypoxic and adenosine-rich TME of solid tumors.…”