Cancer Immunoimaging with Smart Nanoparticles

Trends Biotechnol. 2020 Apr;38(4):388-403. doi: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2019.11.001. Epub 2019 Dec 5.

Abstract

Dynamic immunoimaging in vivo is crucial in patient-tailored immunotherapies to identify patients who will benefit from immunotherapies, monitor therapeutic efficacy post treatment, and determine alternative strategies for nonresponders. Nanoparticles have played a major role in the immunotherapy landscape. In this review, we summarize recent findings in immunoimaging where smart nanoparticles target, detect, stimulate, and deliver therapeutic dose in vivo. Nanoparticles interfaced with an immunoimaging toolbox enable the use of multiple modalities and achieve depth-resolved whole-body tracking of immunomarkers with high accuracy both before and after treatment. We highlight how functional nanoparticles track T cells, dendritic cells (DCs), tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), and immune checkpoint receptors (ICRs), and facilitate image-guided interventions.

Keywords: SPIO; T cell tracking; dendritic cell tracking; gold nanoparticles; image-guided immunotherapy; immunoimaging; organic nanoparticles.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Tracking / methods*
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Gold / chemistry
  • Gold / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Immune Checkpoint Proteins / immunology
  • Immunotherapy
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Metal Nanoparticles / therapeutic use*
  • Molecular Imaging / methods*
  • Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Neoplasms / immunology
  • Neoplasms / therapy
  • Stimuli Responsive Polymers
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Tumor-Associated Macrophages / immunology

Substances

  • Immune Checkpoint Proteins
  • Stimuli Responsive Polymers
  • Gold