Strategies targeting tumor immune and stromal microenvironment and their clinical relevance

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Nanomedicine
• Immunotherapy

Background:

• The tumor microenvironment (TME) is crucial for cancer initiation and progression.
• Nanotechnology-based therapies targeting the TME have gained momentum, especially with immune checkpoint blockade therapies.
• Existing reviews often focus on preclinical models, lacking comprehensive clinical development insights for TME therapeutics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the integration of nano-delivery systems for developing TME-specific therapeutic regimens.
• To provide an up-to-date summary of approved and clinically evaluated TME-targeted therapeutics.
• To discuss challenges and potential solutions for the clinical translation of TME-targeted nanomedicines.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of clinical trial data and approved therapeutics.
• Analysis of nanomedicine strategies for TME modulation.
• Synthesis of information on small molecule drugs, monoclonal antibodies, and nanomedicines targeting TME components.

Main Results:

• Identified opportunities for nano-delivery systems in TME-targeted therapy development.
• Summarized current clinical status of therapeutics targeting cellular and extracellular TME components.
• Highlighted approved and investigational nanomedicines for TME modulation.

Conclusions:

• Nanomedicines offer significant potential for developing effective TME-specific therapeutic regimens.
• Clinical translation of TME-targeted nanomedicines faces challenges but holds promise for improved cancer treatment.
• Further research and strategic approaches are needed to overcome clinical translation hurdles.