Injectable Hydrogel-Based Combination Cancer Immunotherapy for Overcoming Localized Therapeutic Efficacy
Jeongrae Kim1,2, Yongwhan Choi3, Dong-Hwee Kim1
1KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seonbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Korea.
Abstract:
Various immunotherapeutic agents that can elicit antitumor immune responses have recently been developed with the potential for improved efficacy in treating cancer. However, insufficient delivery efficiency at the tumor site, along with severe side effects after systemic administration of these anticancer agents, have hindered their therapeutic application in cancer immunotherapy. Hydrogels that can be directly injected into tumor sites have been developed to help modulate or elicit antitumor responses. Based on the biocompatibility, degradability, and controllable mechanochemical properties of these injectable hydrogels, various types of immunotherapeutic agents, such as hydrophobic anticancer drugs, cytokines, antigens, and adjuvants, have been easily and effectively encapsulated, resulting in the successful elicitation of antitumor immune responses and the retention of long-term immunotherapeutic efficacy following administration. This review summarizes recent advances in combination immunotherapy involving injectable hydrogel-based chemoimmunotherapy, photoimmunotherapy, and radioimmunotherapy. Finally, we briefly discuss the current limitations and future perspectives on injectable hydrogels for the effective combination immunotherapy of tumors.
Insights
Injectable hydrogels offer a promising solution for cancer immunotherapy by improving drug delivery and reducing side effects. These biocompatible materials effectively deliver various immunotherapeutic agents, enhancing antitumor responses and long-term efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Immunology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Immunotherapy faces challenges with inefficient tumor delivery and systemic side effects.
- Injectable hydrogels show potential for localized delivery of immunotherapeutic agents.
- Hydrogels offer biocompatibility, degradability, and tunable properties for cancer treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review advances in injectable hydrogel-based combination immunotherapy for cancer.
- To highlight the use of hydrogels in chemoimmunotherapy, photoimmunotherapy, and radioimmunotherapy.
- To discuss limitations and future directions for hydrogel applications in cancer immunotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature on injectable hydrogels in cancer immunotherapy.
- Analysis of hydrogel properties (biocompatibility, degradability, mechanochemistry) for drug encapsulation.
- Summary of combination strategies including chemo-, photo-, and radioimmunotherapy.
Main Results:
- Injectable hydrogels enable efficient local delivery of diverse immunotherapeutic agents (drugs, cytokines, antigens, adjuvants).
- Hydrogel encapsulation leads to successful elicitation of antitumor immune responses.
- Long-term immunotherapeutic efficacy is achieved through sustained agent release from hydrogels.
Conclusions:
- Injectable hydrogels represent a significant advancement in localized cancer immunotherapy delivery.
- Combination therapies utilizing hydrogels show potential for enhanced antitumor efficacy.
- Further research is needed to address current limitations and optimize hydrogel-based immunotherapies.
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