Nanomaterials for Skin Cancer Photoimmunotherapy

Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer, and its incidence continues to increase. It is divided into two main categories, melanoma and non-melanoma. Treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. The relatively high mortality in melanoma and the existing recurrence rates, both for melanoma and non-melanoma, create the need for studying and developing new approaches for skin cancer management. Recent studies have focused on immunotherapy, photodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy, and photoimmunotherapy. Photoimmunotherapy has gained much attention due to its excellent potential outcomes. It combines the advantages of photodynamic and/or photothermal therapy with a systemic immune response, making it ideal for metastatic cancer. This review critically discusses different new nanomaterials' properties and mechanisms of action for skin cancer photoimmunotherapy and the main results obtained in the field.

Automated summary

Skin cancer is a common and increasing type of cancer with two main categories: melanoma and non-melanoma. Current treatments, including surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, have limitations in terms of mortality and recurrence rates. Recent studies have focused on new approaches, such as immunotherapy and various forms of phototherapy. Among these, photoimmunotherapy has gained attention for its potential outcomes in combining photodynamic and/or photothermal therapy with a systemic immune response. This review critically discusses the properties and mechanisms of action of different nanomaterials in skin cancer photoimmunotherapy and presents important results in the field.