{"title":"Emerging strategies in lymph node-targeted nano-delivery systems for tumor immunotherapy.","authors":"Yaoli Zhao, Muzi Tian, Xin Tong, Xiangliang Yang, Lu Gan, Tuying Yong","doi":"10.1042/EBC20253008","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The emergence of immunotherapy has led to the clinical approval of several related drugs. However, their efficacy against solid tumors remains limited. As the hub of immune activation, lymph nodes (LNs) play a critical role in tumor immunotherapy by initiating and amplifying immune responses. Nevertheless, the intricate physiological structure and barriers within LNs, combined with the immunosuppressive microenvironment induced by tumor cells, significantly impede the therapeutic efficacy of immunotherapy. Engineered nanoparticles (NPs) have shown great potential in overcoming these challenges by facilitating targeted drug transport to LNs and directly or indirectly activating T cells. This review systematically examines the structural features of LNs, key factors influencing the targeting efficiency of NPs, and current strategies for remodeling the immunosuppressive microenvironment of LNs. Additionally, it discusses future opportunities for optimizing NPs to enhance tumor immunotherapy, addressing challenges in clinical translation and safety evaluation.</p>","PeriodicalId":11812,"journal":{"name":"Essays in biochemistry","volume":"69 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6000,"publicationDate":"2025-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Essays in biochemistry","FirstCategoryId":"99","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1042/EBC20253008","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
The emergence of immunotherapy has led to the clinical approval of several related drugs. However, their efficacy against solid tumors remains limited. As the hub of immune activation, lymph nodes (LNs) play a critical role in tumor immunotherapy by initiating and amplifying immune responses. Nevertheless, the intricate physiological structure and barriers within LNs, combined with the immunosuppressive microenvironment induced by tumor cells, significantly impede the therapeutic efficacy of immunotherapy. Engineered nanoparticles (NPs) have shown great potential in overcoming these challenges by facilitating targeted drug transport to LNs and directly or indirectly activating T cells. This review systematically examines the structural features of LNs, key factors influencing the targeting efficiency of NPs, and current strategies for remodeling the immunosuppressive microenvironment of LNs. Additionally, it discusses future opportunities for optimizing NPs to enhance tumor immunotherapy, addressing challenges in clinical translation and safety evaluation.
期刊介绍:
Essays in Biochemistry publishes short, digestible reviews from experts highlighting recent key topics in biochemistry and the molecular biosciences. Written to be accessible for those not yet immersed in the subject, each article is an up-to-date, self-contained summary of the topic.
Bridging the gap between the latest research and established textbooks, Essays in Biochemistry will tell you what you need to know to begin exploring the field, as each article includes the top take-home messages as summary points.
Each issue of the journal is guest edited by a key opinion leader in the area, and whether you are continuing your studies or moving into a new research area, the Journal gives a complete picture in one place.
Essays in Biochemistry is proud to publish Understanding Biochemistry, an essential online resource for post-16 students, teachers and undergraduates. Providing up-to-date overviews of key concepts in biochemistry and the molecular biosciences, the Understanding Biochemistry issues of Essays in Biochemistry are published annually in October.