Insights into Nanomedicine for Immunotherapeutics in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the head and neck
Qiang Xu, Meiyu Fang, Jing Zhu, Haoru Dong, Jun Cao, Lin Yan, Fransisca Leonard, Felix Oppel, Holger Sudhoff, Andreas M. Kaufmann, Andreas E. Albers, Xu Qian
Abstract
Immunotherapies such as immune checkpoint blockade benefit only a portion of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The multidisciplinary field of nanomedicine is emerging as a promising strategy to achieve maximal anti-tumor effect in cancer immunotherapy and to turn non-responders into responders. Various methods have been developed to deliver therapeutic agents that can overcome bio-barriers, improve therapeutic delivery into the tumor and lymphoid tissues and reduce adverse effects in normal tissues. Additional modification strategies also have been employed to improve targeting and boost cytotoxic T cell-based immune responses. Here, we review the state-of-the-art use of nanotechnologies in the laboratory, in advanced preclinical phases as well as those running through clinical trials assessing their advantages and challenges.