Promising particle-based vaccines in cancer therapy

Abstract

Immunotherapy and preventative cancer vaccines offer the hope of controlling cancer in humans with few of the undesirable side effects associated with current chemotherapy-based methods. Particulate vaccines are effectively taken up by dendritic cells, inducing both T-cell and antibody responses. Virus-like particles (VLPs) have shown preventive efficacy against cervical cancer. Herein we review a range of leading particle-based vaccine approaches: VLPs, immunostimulating complexes, liposomes, synthetic nanoparticles and microparticles (both biocompatible and biodegradable, such as polylactide-co-glycolides and poly[D,L-lactic-co-glycolic] acid). Immune efficacy, regulatory and safety issues, as well the application of immunotherapeutics to immunosuppressed patients with high levels of Tregs are also discussed. We argue that developmental issues (cost and intellectual property lifespan) and the lack of reliable preclinical animal models, rather than the lack of innovative vaccine approaches, currently present a major obstacle to rapid and effective vaccine development.

Keywords::

• adjuvant
• cancer
• immunotherapy
• intellectual property
• nanoparticle
• regulation
• Treg
• safety
• vaccine

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council for support.

Dedication

The first author (Sue D Xiang) would like to dedicate this review article to her beloved mother Ms. Feng-Mao Cheng, who passed away last year, and also to her father Prof. Ke-Zong Xiang, who also passed away recently after a battle with cancer.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.