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Evaluating the Angiogenetic Properties of Ovarian Cancer Stem-Like Cells using the Three-Dimensional Co-Culture System, NICO-1
Published on: December 5, 2020
Modulating the tumor immune microenvironment with nanoparticles: A sword for improving the efficiency of ovarian
Tianyue Xu1, Zhihui Liu1, Liwen Huang1
1Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, Clinical Research Center for Breast, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Abstract:
With encouraging antitumor effects, immunotherapy represented by immune checkpoint blockade has developed into a mainstream cancer therapeutic modality. However, only a minority of ovarian cancer (OC) patients could benefit from immunotherapy. The main reason is that most OC harbor a suppressive tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). Emerging studies suggest that M2 tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), T regulatory cells (Tregs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are enriched in OC. Thus, reversing the suppressive TIME is considered an ideal candidate for improving the efficiency of immunotherapy. Nanoparticles encapsulating immunoregulatory agents can regulate immunocytes and improve the TIME to boost the antitumor immune response. In addition, some nanoparticle-mediated photodynamic and photothermal therapy can directly kill tumor cells and induce tumor immunogenic cell death to activate antigen-presenting cells and promote T cell infiltration. These advantages make nanoparticles promising candidates for modulating the TIME and improving OC immunotherapy. In this review, we analyzed the composition and function of the TIME in OC and summarized the current clinical progress of OC immunotherapy. Then, we expounded on the promising advances in nanomaterial-mediated immunotherapy for modulating the TIME in OC. Finally, we discussed the obstacles and challenges in the clinical translation of this novel combination treatment regimen. We believe this resourceful strategy will open the door to effective immunotherapy of OC and benefit numerous patients.
Insights
Nanoparticles can reprogram the ovarian cancer tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) to enhance immunotherapy effectiveness. This approach combines immunomodulation with therapies like photodynamic therapy to boost anti-tumor responses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology and Nanomedicine
Background:
- Immunotherapy, particularly immune checkpoint blockade, is a key cancer treatment, but its efficacy in ovarian cancer (OC) is limited.
- Ovarian cancer often features a suppressive tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) rich in M2 tumor-associated macrophages, T regulatory cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and cancer-associated fibroblasts.
- Reversing this suppressive TIME is crucial for improving immunotherapy outcomes in OC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the composition and function of the TIME in OC.
- To summarize current clinical progress in OC immunotherapy.
- To explore advances in nanomaterial-mediated immunotherapy for modulating the OC TIME and enhancing treatment efficacy.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of existing literature on ovarian cancer immunology and immunotherapy.
- Review of nanoparticle-based strategies for immunomodulation and combination therapies (e.g., photodynamic and photothermal therapy).
- Discussion of clinical translation challenges for nanomaterial-mediated immunotherapy in OC.
Main Results:
- Nanoparticles can encapsulate immunoregulatory agents to modulate immune cells and improve the TIME.
- Nanoparticle-mediated photodynamic and photothermal therapies can directly kill tumor cells and induce immunogenic cell death, activating antigen-presenting cells and promoting T cell infiltration.
- These combined approaches show promise for enhancing anti-tumor immune responses in OC.
Conclusions:
- Nanomaterial-mediated immunotherapy offers a promising strategy to overcome the suppressive TIME in ovarian cancer.
- Combination regimens involving nanoparticles hold potential for improving the efficacy of OC immunotherapy.
- Addressing obstacles in clinical translation is key to realizing the benefits of this novel therapeutic approach for OC patients.
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