Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 30, 2025

09:15
Experimental Melanoma Immunotherapy Model Using Tumor Vaccination with a Hematopoietic Cytokine
Published on: February 24, 2023
3.5K
Cancer Immunotherapy and Delivery System: An Update
Ming Yang1,2, Olamide Tosin Olaoba1,3, Chunye Zhang4
1Department of Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA.
Pharmaceutics
|August 26, 2022
Summary
Cancer immunotherapies show promise but face limitations. Delivery systems using nanoparticles and scaffolds can enhance treatment efficacy and reduce side effects for various cancers.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Cancer immunotherapy leverages the immune system to fight cancer, employing strategies like immune checkpoint blockade and engineered cell therapies.
- Despite successes, challenges such as tumor microenvironment suppression, cancer cell heterogeneity, and off-target effects limit current immunotherapy efficacy.
- Existing treatments like CAR T-cell therapy are more effective against hematologic malignancies than solid tumors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current cancer immunotherapies and their limitations.
- To explore the role of advanced delivery systems in enhancing immunotherapy efficacy and minimizing side effects.
- To discuss the future prospects and clinical applications of these delivery systems in cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing cancer immunotherapies.
- Synopsis of delivery systems including nanoparticles, hydrogels, and scaffolds.
- Analysis of challenges, frontiers, and clinical trial applications.
Main Results:
- Common immunotherapies include immune checkpoint blockade, cell therapies, cytokine therapy, vaccines, and oncolytic virotherapy, each with specific limitations.
- Delivery systems like nanoparticles, hydrogels, and scaffolds show potential to improve targeted delivery, enhance efficacy, and reduce side effects of immunotherapies.
- The review highlights the progress and potential of these delivery systems in overcoming current therapeutic hurdles.
Conclusions:
- Delivery systems are crucial for optimizing cancer immunotherapy by improving targeted delivery and reducing adverse effects.
- Further research and development in delivery systems are needed to fully realize their potential in treating a broader range of cancers, including solid tumors.
- Clinical translation of these advanced delivery systems holds significant promise for future cancer treatment strategies.
Related Concept Videos
Tumor Immunotherapy
644
Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
644
Cancer Vaccines
496
Cancer treatment vaccines are a rapidly evolving field that offers a promising approach to immunotherapy. Unlike traditional vaccines that prevent diseases, cancer treatment vaccines are designed to treat existing cancers by stimulating the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
496
Targeted Cancer Therapies
7.8K
The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
7.8K
Cancer Therapies
7.9K
Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
7.9K
Treatment Resistant Cancers
3.4K
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
3.4K
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
5.1K
Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
5.1K

