Cancer immunotherapy from biology to nanomedicine

With the significant drawbacks of conventional cancer chemotherapeutics, cancer immunotherapy has demonstrated the ability to eradicate cancer cells and circumvent multidrug resistance (MDR) with fewer side effects than traditional cytotoxic therapies. Various immunotherapeutic agents have been investigated for that purpose including checkpoint inhibitors, cytokines, monoclonal antibodies and cancer vaccines. All these agents aid immune cells to recognize and engage tumor cells by acting on tumor-specific pathways, antigens or cellular targets. However, immunotherapeutics are still associated with some concerns such as off-target side effects and poor pharmacokinetics. Nanomedicine may resolve some limitations of current immunotherapeutics such as localizing delivery, controlling release and enhancing the pharmacokinetic profile. Herein, we discuss recent advances of immunotherapeutic agents with respect to their development and biological mechanisms of action, along with the advantages that nanomedicine strategies lend to immunotherapeutics by possibly improving therapeutic outcomes and minimizing side effects.

Automated summary

Cancer immunotherapy has shown promise in eradicating cancer cells and overcoming multidrug resistance with fewer side effects compared to traditional cytotoxic therapies, utilizing agents such as checkpoint inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies to help immune cells target tumor cells. However, concerns remain around off-target side effects and poor pharmacokinetics in immunotherapeutics. Nanomedicine offers potential solutions by improving drug delivery, release control, and pharmacokinetic profiles, enhancing therapeutic outcomes and minimizing side effects.