Polysaccharide-based nanomedicines for cancer immunotherapy: A review

• Published in: Bioactive materials 2021-10, Vol.6 (10), p.3358-3382
• Main Authors: Zeng, Yujun, Xiang, Yufan, Sheng, Ruilong, Tomás, Helena, Rodrigues, João, Gu, Zhongwei, Zhang, Hu, Gong, Qiyong, Luo, Kui
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anticancer efficacy; Cancer immunotherapy; Drug delivery systems; Nanomedicines; Polysaccharides
• ISSN: 2452-199X; 2452-199X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2021.03.008

Cancer immunotherapy is an effective antitumor approach through activating immune systems to eradicate tumors by immunotherapeutics. However, direct administration of “naked” immunotherapeutic agents (such as nucleic acids, cytokines, adjuvants or antigens without delivery vehicles) often results in: (1) an unsatisfactory efficacy due to suboptimal pharmacokinetics; (2) strong toxic and side effects due to low targeting (or off-target) efficiency. To overcome these shortcomings, a series of polysaccharide-based nanoparticles have been developed to carry immunotherapeutics to enhance antitumor immune responses with reduced toxicity and side effects. Polysaccharides are a family of natural polymers that hold unique physicochemical and biological properties, as they could interact with immune system to stimulate an enhanced immune response. Their structures offer versatility in synthesizing multifunctional nanocomposites, which could be chemically modified to achieve high stability and bioavailability for delivering therapeutics into tumor tissues. This review aims to highlight recent advances in polysaccharide-based nanomedicines for cancer immunotherapy and propose new perspectives on the use of polysaccharide-based immunotherapeutics. [Display omitted] •Cancer immunotherapy is an emerging antitumor approach but with drawbacks.•Polysaccharides can interact with the immune system to enhance immune response.•Polysaccharides can be applied as nano-carriers for cancer immunotherapeutics with enhanced anti-tumor efficacy.•Polysaccharide-based nanomedicines can relieve the toxic and side effect of cancer immunotherapy.