Strategies of Combination Drug Delivery for Immune Checkpoint Blockades

Adv Healthc Mater. 2019 Feb;8(4):e1801099. doi: 10.1002/adhm.201801099. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Abstract

The past few years have witnessed vast clinical accomplishments of immune checkpoint blockades (ICB), which block the regulatory receptor expressed on immune cells or tumor cells to prevent the suppression of antitumor cytotoxic T-cell responses. Despite this, limitations still exist, such as low objective response rate (ORR) and the risk of immune-related side effects. To address these issues, combination treatment strategies are vastly explored and recommended. This review summarizes recent advances in combination of ICB with therapies that participate in different stages of cancer immune cycle, including tumor antigen release, tumor antigen presentation, T-cell activation, recognition of cancer cells by T-cells, and tumor-killing activity. Challenges and potential opportunities of combination approaches in this field are also discussed.

Keywords: cancer immunity circles; cancer immunotherapy; combination delivery; drug delivery; immune checkpoint blockades.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Neoplasm* / immunology
  • Antigens, Neoplasm* / therapeutic use
  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy*
  • Lymphocyte Activation / drug effects*
  • Neoplasms* / immunology
  • Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Neoplasms* / therapy
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / pathology

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm