How Advanced are Cancer Immuno-Nanotherapeutics? A Comprehensive Review of the Literature

Figures & data

Figure 1 Strategies for cancer management and treatment, currently in use. Data from these studies.^16–18

Figure 2 Role of MDSCs in tumor growth by targeting different immunological cells. Data from these studies.^24,29

Table 1 Characteristics of Various Nanomaterials Used in Cancer Therapy

Nanomaterial Category	Characteristic Structure	Advantages	Limitation	References
Liposomes	Lipid bilayer	Biocompatibility, non-immunogenicity, increase solubility of associated molecule	Less stable, hydrophilic drug	[37–39]
Polymeric nanoparticles (Nanospheres/Nanocapsules)	Polymer-based NPs having lipophilic core	High stability, low outflow of drugs	Toxic when administered intravenously	[40,41]
Dendrimers	Three-dimensional branched polymers	Presence of functional group, enhances the solubility and availability of hydrophobic drugs	Quick elimination from the precorneal region	[42,43]
Microspheres	Polymeric	Large surface area, high absorption rate on surface and long-term bio-availability of drugs	Difficult to design	[44,45]
Gold nanoparticles	Surface of gold atom has negatively charged group	High surface-to-volume ratio, hydrophilic in nature, surface modification is easy	Toxicity, quick elimination	[46,47]
Carbon nanoparticles (Carbon nanotubes)	Fullerenes or one or more graphene sheets	High cell penetration abilities, high stability, flexible to modify the surface and function	Non-biodegradable, cytotoxic, less solubility in water	[48,49]
Metallic nanoparticles (MNPs)	Metallic property containing nanoparticles, wire, rods, and capsules	Antibacterial properties, magneto-optical response	Related toxicity	[50,51]
Polymeric micelles (PMs)	Core/shell lipid based self-assembled structure	Easy synthesis, delay and control drug release, variability, give stability to hydrophobic drug	Depolymerization at dilution	[52–54]
Inorganic Non-metallic Nanomaterials	Unique size with adjustable Pore size	More drug loading capacity because of the large surface area, suitable pore volume	Very slow biodegradation, high degree of toxicity of NPs	[55]

Abbreviation: NPs, nanoparticles.

Figure 3 Role of different kinds of nanoparticles to increase the pharmacokinetic properties of drugs in cancer treatment. Data from these studies.^30,31,36

Figure 4 Photoimmunotherapy for treatment of tumor and its metastasis by nanomaterials. Data from these studies.^102–107

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