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Insights in the host response towards biomaterial-based scaffolds for cancer therapy
Marjolein Schluck1,2,3, Jorieke Weiden1,2,3, Martijn Verdoes1,3
1Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Nijmegen, Netherlands.
Abstract:
Immunotherapeutic strategies have shown promising results in the treatment of cancer. However, not all patients respond, and treatments can have severe side-effects. Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) has shown remarkable therapeutic efficacy across different leukaemia and lymphoma types. But the treatment of solid tumours remains a challenge due to limited persistence and tumour infiltration. We believe that biomaterial-based scaffolds are promising new tools and may address several of the challenges associated with cancer vaccination and ACT. In particular, biomaterial-based scaffold implants allow for controlled delivery of activating signals and/or functional T cells at specific sites. One of the main challenges for their application forms the host response against these scaffolds, which includes unwanted myeloid cell infiltration and the formation of a fibrotic capsule around the scaffold, thereby limiting cell traffic. In this review we provide an overview of several of the biomaterial-based scaffolds designed for cancer therapy to date. We will discuss the host responses observed and we will highlight design parameters that influence this response and their potential impact on therapeutic outcome.
Insights
Biomaterial scaffolds offer new ways to improve cancer immunotherapy and adoptive cell therapy (ACT) by controlling drug delivery. However, the body’s response to these scaffolds can limit their effectiveness in treating solid tumors.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials science
- Immunology
- Oncology
Background:
- Immunotherapy and adoptive cell therapy (ACT) show promise for cancer treatment but face challenges like limited patient response, side effects, and poor efficacy against solid tumors.
- Current limitations in ACT include insufficient T cell persistence and tumor infiltration, hindering its effectiveness in solid tumor treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review biomaterial-based scaffolds for cancer therapy, focusing on their potential to overcome challenges in cancer vaccination and ACT.
- To discuss host responses to biomaterial scaffolds, including myeloid cell infiltration and fibrosis, and their impact on therapeutic outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on biomaterial-based scaffolds designed for cancer therapy.
- Analysis of host responses to these scaffolds, such as immune cell infiltration and capsule formation.
- Identification of design parameters influencing scaffold performance and therapeutic efficacy.
Main Results:
- Biomaterial scaffolds enable controlled delivery of therapeutic agents or cells to specific sites, potentially enhancing cancer vaccination and ACT.
- Host responses, including myeloid cell infiltration and fibrotic encapsulation, can impede scaffold function and limit therapeutic benefits.
- Specific scaffold design parameters can modulate host responses, influencing cell traffic and overall treatment effectiveness.
Conclusions:
- Biomaterial-based scaffolds represent a promising strategy to enhance cancer immunotherapy and ACT, particularly for solid tumors.
- Understanding and mitigating adverse host responses is crucial for optimizing the design and clinical application of these scaffolds.
- Further research into scaffold design is needed to improve T cell persistence, tumor infiltration, and therapeutic outcomes in cancer treatment.
