Nanotechnology and immunotherapy synergies in skin cancer

The world's most prevalent malignancy, skin cancer, is a major public health problem due to its high mortality, morbidity, and rising incidence. There are still limitations, such as off-target toxicity, risk of recurrence, and resistance to therapy, particularly in advanced disease, even with the progress in early detection and conventional therapies such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Employing the immune system of the body to generate targeted anti-tumor responses, immunotherapy is a game-changing strategy. Its broader success is, however, limited by clinical challenges, including immune evasion, low response rates, and adverse immune-related side effects. The application of nanotechnology to immunotherapy and theranostics is discussed in this chapter and presents a synergistic approach to refining the precision, efficacy, and individualization of skin cancer therapy. Real-time image-guided therapy, better local concentration, reduced systemic toxicity, and enhanced immunotherapeutic delivery are all facilitated through nanomaterials, ranging from liposomes and polymeric nanoparticles to metallic and carbon-based platforms. Molecular pathophysiology of the two most common types of skin cancer, melanoma and non-melanoma and most current immunotherapeutic strategies, clinical outcomes, and associated toxicities are discussed in this chapter. The applications of nanotechnology in theranostics for concurrent therapy and diagnosis, targeted delivery of checkpoint inhibitors, cancer vaccines, and adoptive cell therapy are highlighted with specific emphasis. Combinatorial nanoplatforms and bionanomaterials that can be programmed have the possibility to bypass tumor resistance and offer truly personalized treatment. The chapter concludes with consideration of the present clinical applications, challenges, and possible future directions of theranostics and nanotechnology-enabled immunotherapy for skin cancer.