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Microfluidic Co-Culture Models for Dissecting the Immune Response in in vitro Tumor Microenvironments
Published on: April 30, 2021
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Engineering approaches for innate immune-mediated tumor microenvironment remodeling
G I Kane1,2, C F Lusi1,2, M L Brassil1,2
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst.
Immuno-Oncology Technology
|January 12, 2024
Summary
Cancer immunotherapy is evolving beyond T cells to activate innate immune cells. Engineering approaches enhance delivery and efficacy for remodeling the tumor microenvironment (TME) to combat lethal cancers.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- T cell-focused cancer immunotherapies show limited efficacy in solid tumors due to immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments (TME).
- Activating innate immune cells like dendritic cells and macrophages can promote a proinflammatory response to remodel the TME from 'cold' to 'hot'.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review engineering approaches for innate immune-mediated tumor microenvironment (TME) remodeling.
- To highlight strategies for improving the delivery and efficacy of TME-modulating therapies.
Main Methods:
- Review of engineering strategies including encapsulation, targeting, and co-delivery for therapeutic agents.
- Focus on innate immune agonists, immunogenic viruses, and cell-based methods for TME remodeling.
Main Results:
- Engineering approaches enhance the delivery and efficacy of innate immune-activating agents.
- Strategies aim to overcome systemic toxicity and off-target inflammation associated with free cytokines and agonists.
Conclusions:
- Innate immune-mediated TME remodeling offers a promising paradigm for enhancing cancer immunotherapy.
- Engineering strategies are crucial for developing effective and safe treatments for solid tumors.
Keywords:
antibody-drug conjugatecell engineeringcell therapydendritic cellsimmune-cytokinestherapeutic vaccineMore Related Videos
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