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Recent studies on micro-/nano-sized biomaterials for cancer immunotherapy

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Abstract

To overcome the suppressive tumor microenvironment and boost the antitumor effect of the immune system, recent studies have focused on a diverse range of immune checkpoint molecules. Several immune checkpoint molecules are currently approved for clinical use, including immunotherapy using antibodies against cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 and programmed cell death protein-1. Biomaterials such as particle-based systems, scaffolds, and conjugates have been harnessed to elevate the biological performance of immune modulators in vivo by enhancing their delivery efficiency and in vivo half-life. In particular, microparticles are advantageous for the sustained release of encapsulated immune stimulators and selective intracellular delivery to phagocytic APCs such as dendritic cells and macrophages for activation of cell-mediated immune responses through cytotoxic T cells. Nanoparticles have ideal properties for targeted delivery of immune-regulating molecules to tumor-draining lymph nodes after systemic injection. More recent therapeutic approaches, including combination therapy of immune checkpoint molecules with small molecular anticancer or anti-inflammation drugs, may help to broaden the range of current therapeutic targets and lower side effects. Taken together, particle-based biomaterials could enhance therapeutic outcomes of current biotherapies (antibodies, cells, and genes), and—more importantly—of immunotherapy combined with chemotherapies.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the Agri-Bio Industry Technology Development Program (316028-3) through the Korea Institute of Planning and Evaluation for Technology in Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Republic of Korea.

Conflict of interest

O. Park, G. Yu, H. Jung and H. Mok declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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    Authors and Affiliations

    1. Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul, 143-701, Republic of Korea

      Ok Park, Gyeonghui Yu, Heejung Jung & Hyejung Mok

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    1. Ok Park
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    2. Gyeonghui Yu
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    3. Heejung Jung
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    Correspondence to Hyejung Mok.

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    Ok Park, Gyeonghui Yu and Heejung Jung have contributed equally to this work.

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    Park, O., Yu, G., Jung, H. et al. Recent studies on micro-/nano-sized biomaterials for cancer immunotherapy. Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation 47, 11–18 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40005-016-0288-2

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