Bioactive polydopamine nanomedicines-assisted cancer immunotherapy

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Immunology

Background:

• Cancer immunotherapy faces challenges due to immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments and systemic side effects.
• Polydopamine (PDA) materials offer unique properties for controlled release of drugs and immunomodulators.
• Engineered PDA nanomedicines with intrinsic immunomodulatory functions are emerging but lack systematic reviews.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review recent advances in bioactive polydopamine (PDA) nanomedicines for cancer immunotherapy.
• To focus on the roles of PDA nanomedicines in inducing immunogenic cell death, reprogramming tumor-associated macrophages, cancer vaccines, and immune checkpoint blockade.
• To discuss challenges and future perspectives for the clinical translation of PDA materials in cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of recent advances in PDA nanomedicines for cancer immunotherapy.
• Analysis of studies focusing on PDA's role in modulating the tumor microenvironment and immune responses.
• Discussion of PDA's physicochemical properties and biocompatibility relevant to drug delivery and immunotherapy.

Main Results:

• Bioactive PDA nanomedicines demonstrate potential in inducing immunogenic cell death.
• PDA nanomedicines show efficacy in reprogramming tumor-associated macrophages towards an anti-tumor phenotype.
• Applications in cancer vaccines and enhancement of immune checkpoint blockade therapy are highlighted.

Conclusions:

• Bioactive PDA nanomedicines represent a promising platform for overcoming limitations in current cancer immunotherapy.
• Further research and development are needed to address challenges and facilitate clinical translation.
• PDA nanomedicines offer a versatile approach for developing novel cancer immunotherapies.