Drug Delivery Systems Repurposing Taxanes as Antitumor Immune Modulators

Taxane chemotherapeutics, including paclitaxel, docetaxel, and cabazitaxel, are commonly used in cancer therapy because of their cytotoxic effects against malignant cells. Although their primary mechanisms involve microtubule stabilization and induction of apoptosis, emerging evidence suggests that taxanes also modulate antitumor immunity. Drug delivery systems (DDSs) have been used to enhance taxane therapeutic efficacy by improving tumor targeting and immune modulation. This review discusses the immunomodulatory effects of taxanes and their effects on spatially distinct immune processes within tumors and draining lymph nodes. We highlight recent advances in taxane DDSs that facilitate tumor- and lymphatic-targeted delivery, thereby enhancing antigen presentation, adaptive immune activation, and systemic antitumor immunity. Furthermore, we explore synergistic strategies that combined taxane-based DDSs with immune checkpoint inhibitors and other immunotherapeutic agents. By integrating these approaches, taxane-based chemoimmunotherapy presents potential for advancing next-generation cancer immunotherapy.