Nano-, micro-, and macroscale drug delivery systems for cancer immunotherapy

  • Acta Biomater. 2019 Feb:85:1-26. doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2018.12.028.
Pingsheng Huang  1 ,  Xiaoli Wang  2 ,  Xiaoyu Liang  1 ,  Jing Yang  3 ,  Chuangnian Zhang  1 ,  Deling Kong  4 ,  Weiwei Wang  5
Affiliations
  • 1. Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biomaterial Research, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, China.
  • 2. Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biomaterial Research, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • 3. Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biomaterial Research, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • 4. Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biomaterial Research, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, China; State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China; Jiangsu Center for the Collaboration and Innovation of Cancer Biotherapy, Cancer Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, Jiangsu, China.
  • 5. Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biomaterial Research, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
Abstract

Immunotherapy is moving to the frontier of Cancer treatment. Drug Delivery systems (DDSs) have greatly advanced the development of Cancer immunotherapeutic regimen and combination treatment. DDSs can spatiotemporally present tumor Antigens, drugs, immunostimulatory molecules, or adjuvants, thus enabling the modulation of immune cells including dendritic cells (DCs) or T-cells directly in vivo and thereby provoking robust antitumor immune responses. Cancer vaccines, immune checkpoint blockade, and adoptive cell transfer have shown promising therapeutic efficiency in clinic, and the incorporation of DDSs may further increase antitumor efficiency while decreasing adverse side effects. This review focuses on the use of nano-, micro-, and macroscale DDSs for co-delivery of different immunostimulatory factors to reprogram the immune system to combat Cancer. Regarding to nanoparticle-based DDSs, we emphasize the nanoparticle-based tumor immune environment modulation or as an addition to gene therapy, photodynamic therapy, or photothermal therapy. For microparticle or capsule-based DDSs, an overview of the carrier type, fabrication approach, and co-delivery of tumor vaccines and adjuvants is introduced. Finally, macroscale DDSs including hydrogels and scaffolds are also included and their role in personalized vaccine delivery and adoptive cell transfer therapy are described. Perspective and clinical translation of DDS-based Cancer Immunotherapy is also discussed. We believe that DDSs hold great potential in advancing the fundamental research and clinical translation of Cancer Immunotherapy. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Immunotherapy is moving to the frontier of Cancer treatment. Drug Delivery systems (DDSs) have greatly advanced the development of Cancer immunotherapeutic regimen and combination treatment. In this comprehensive review, we focus on the use of nano-, micro-, and macroscale DDSs for the co-delivery of different immunostimulatory factors to reprogram the immune system to combat Cancer. We also propose the perspective on the development of next-generation DDS-based Cancer Immunotherapy. This review indicates that DDSs can augment the antitumor T-cell immunity and hold great potential in advancing the fundamental research and clinical translation of Cancer Immunotherapy by simultaneously delivering dual or multiple immunostimulatory drugs.

Keywords
Cancer immunotherapy; Drug delivery system (DDS); Hydrogel; Nano- or micro particles; Scaffold.