Advances in immune cell-based therapeutic agents for the treatment of inflammation-related diseases

Inflammation-related diseases account for over 50% of global disease-associated mortality; the core pathological mechanisms of these diseases are closely linked to functional dysregulation of immune cells such as macrophages and T cells. Aberrantly activated immune cells excessively secrete inflammatory mediators, which drive chronic inflammatory cascades and trigger irreversible tissue damage. In recent years, immune cell-based therapeutic agents (ICTAs) have garnered significant attention due to their inherent targeting specificity and immunomodulatory capabilities, encompassing whole immune cells, cell membranes, or extracellular vesicles serving as active therapeutics or delivery carriers. This review systematically elaborates on strategies for constructing ICTAs through nanoengineering, genetic engineering, and membrane-fused engineering, while outlining their integrating applications with other delivery devices. Furthermore, we summarize the preclinical and clinical trial advancements of ICTAs in various diseases such as tumors, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, inflammatory bowel disease, ischemia/reperfusion injury, sepsis, and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. These insights establish an interdisciplinary design framework for developing clinically applicable ICTAs and propose novel therapeutic approaches for inflammation-related diseases.