Nanoengineered Platform-Based Microenvironment-Triggered Immunotherapy in Cancer Treatment.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunology
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• The intricate interaction between the immune system and cancer cells influences tumor growth and patient outcomes.
• Key immune cells like Natural Killer (NK) cells, Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes (CTLs), and Dendritic Cells (DCs) combat cancer, but face challenges from chronic inflammation and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME).

Purpose of the Study:

• To review strategies for overcoming TME-induced immunosuppression and enhancing anti-tumor immune responses.
• To explore the potential of nanotechnology and combination immunotherapies in cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

• Discussion of TME characteristics and strategies to counteract immunosuppression.
• Review of immune cell-based anti-tumor strategies.
• Exploration of microenvironment-responsive nanoplatforms utilizing TME factors (e.g., pH, hypoxia, enzymes, light, ultrasound, magnetic fields).
• Analysis of combination immunotherapies including photodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy, chemotherapy, gene therapy, and radiotherapy.

Main Results:

• Nanotechnology enables targeted and controlled drug delivery, improving immunotherapy safety and efficiency.
• Combination therapies demonstrate superior anti-cancer activity, enhanced immunogenicity, and reduced metastasis compared to single treatments.
• Strategies to improve TME characteristics can enhance personalized immunotherapy and T cell infiltration.

Conclusions:

• Cancer immunotherapy is a promising approach to combat cancer, boost immune response, and prevent recurrence.
• Immunotherapy strengthens long-term immune memory for selective cancer cell targeting.
• Ongoing clinical trials are expanding immunotherapy applications and improving its tumor-fighting capabilities, offering hope for effective cancer treatment.