Abstract
Nanoparticles represent a potent antigen presentation and delivery system to elicit an optimal immune response by effector cells targeting tumor-associated antigens expressed by cancer cells. Many types of nanoparticles have been developed, such as polymeric complexes, liposomes, micelles and protein-based structures such as virus like particles. All of them show promising results for immunotherapy approaches. In particular, the immunogenicity of peptide-based cancer vaccines can be significantly potentiated by nanoparticles. Indeed, nanoparticles are able to enhance the targeting of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and trigger cytokine production for optimal T cell response. The present review summarizes the categories of nanoparticles and peptide cancer vaccines which are currently under pre-clinical evaluation.
Highlights
Cancer vaccines are based on tumor antigens administered as nucleic acids, tumor lysates, full proteins or short peptides
The peptide-MHC-I complex is recognized by CD8+ T cells which are activated to exert their cytotoxic activity on tumor cells presenting the same peptide-MHC-I complex
The peptide-MHC-II complex interacts with CD4+ T helper cells which may differentiate in two major subtype, Th2 and Th1, that are involved in inflammatory response and in potentiating and sustaining the activity of CD8+ T (CTLs), respectively [1]
Summary
Cancer vaccines are based on tumor antigens administered as nucleic acids, tumor lysates, full proteins or short peptides. Major limitations of such an approach are represented by the need of MHC prediction binding algorithms for the selection of immunogenic peptides, the heterogeneity of MHC restriction, the down regulation of MHC class I molecules in many tumor types and, most importantly, the limited immunogenicity of peptides The consequence of the latter aspect is that an optimal combination of tumor-specific associated antigens, adjuvant formulations and delivery system is crucial for the effective induction of anti-tumor immune response. In this framework, nanotechnology provides an effective tool for developing optimal antigen delivery strategies to improve the targeting of APCs and the efficacy of peptide-based cancer vaccines. In this review we report current strategies on the use of nanoparticles and nanomaterials in peptide-based cancer vaccine development
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