Biomaterials Facilitating Dendritic Cell-Mediated Cancer Immunotherapy

Dendritic cell (DC)-based cancer immunotherapy has exhibited remarkable clinical prospects because DCs play a central role in initiating and regulating adaptive immune responses. However, the application of traditional DC-mediated immunotherapy is limited due to insufficient antigen delivery, inadequate antigen presentation, and high levels of immunosuppression. To address these challenges, engineered biomaterials have been exploited to enhance DC-mediated immunotherapeutic effects. In this review, vital principal components that can enhance DC-mediated immunotherapeutic effects are first introduced. The parameters considered in the rational design of biomaterials, including targeting modifications, size, shape, surface, and mechanical properties, which can affect biomaterial optimization of DC functions, are further summarized. Moreover, recent applications of various engineered biomaterials in the field of DC-mediated immunotherapy are reviewed, including those serve as immune component delivery platforms, remodel the tumor microenvironment, and synergistically enhance the effects of other antitumor therapies. Overall, the present review comprehensively and systematically summarizes biomaterials related to the promotion of DC functions; and specifically focuses on the recent advances in biomaterial designs for DC activation to eradicate tumors. The challenges and opportunities of treatment strategies designed to amplify DCs via the application of biomaterials are discussed with the aim of inspiring the clinical translation of future DC-mediated cancer immunotherapies.

Automated summary

Dendritic cell (DC)-based cancer immunotherapy has shown great potential in clinical application. However, traditional DC-mediated immunotherapy faces challenges such as insufficient antigen delivery, inadequate antigen presentation, and high levels of immunosuppression. To overcome these challenges, engineered biomaterials have been utilized to enhance the effects of DC-mediated immunotherapy. This review summarizes the key components that can enhance DC-mediated immunotherapeutic effects, discusses the parameters considered in the design of biomaterials, and reviews recent applications of engineered biomaterials in DC-mediated immunotherapy, including as delivery platforms and modulators of the tumor microenvironment. The review aims to inspire the clinical translation of future DC-mediated cancer immunotherapies.