Engineered biological nanoparticles as nanotherapeutics for tumor immunomodulation

Area of Science:

• Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
• Immunology
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Biological nanoparticles (bionanoparticles) are synthesized by living systems and can be engineered for specific functions.
• Bionanoparticles exhibit favorable properties like immune evasion, low toxicity, and biocompatibility, positioning them as a promising therapeutic platform.
• Cancerous tissues develop mechanisms to evade immune detection and create an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME).

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the immunosuppression mechanisms employed by tumors.
• To categorize regulatory immunosuppressive cells and molecules targeted in cancer therapy.
• To summarize engineering strategies for developing immune-modulating bionanoparticles to counteract TME-induced immunosuppression.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of scientific literature.
• Categorization of immunosuppression mechanisms, cellular players, and molecular targets.
• Analysis of engineering strategies for bionanoparticle-based immunomodulation.

Main Results:

• Detailed categorization of tumor-induced immunosuppression pathways.
• Identification of key cellular and molecular targets within the immunosuppressive TME.
• Overview of current and emerging strategies for engineering bionanoparticles to restore anti-tumor immunity.

Conclusions:

• Bionanoparticles represent a novel paradigm for cancer nanotherapy due to their inherent safety and efficacy.
• Overcoming tumor-induced immune suppression is critical for successful cancer nanotherapy.
• Engineering bionanoparticles to modulate the TME holds significant potential for advancing cancer treatment.