Cell and tissue engineering in lymph nodes for cancer immunotherapy

Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2020:161-162:42-62. doi: 10.1016/j.addr.2020.07.023. Epub 2020 Aug 1.

Abstract

In cancer, lymph nodes (LNs) coordinate tumor antigen presentation necessary for effective antitumor immunity, both at the levels of local cellular interactions and tissue-level organization. In this review, we examine how LNs may be engineered to improve the therapeutic outcomes of cancer immunotherapy. At the cellular scale, targeting the LNs impacts the potency of cancer vaccines, immune checkpoint blockade, and adoptive cell transfer. On a tissue level, macro-scale biomaterials mimicking LN features can function as immune niches for cell reprogramming or delivery in vivo, or be utilized in vitro to enable preclinical testing of drugs and vaccines. We additionally review strategies to induce ectopic lymphoid sites reminiscent of LNs that may improve antitumor T cell priming.

Keywords: Adoptive cell transfer; Biomaterials; CAR-T therapy; Cancer vaccines; Immune checkpoint blockade; Lymphoid organs; Nanoparticles; Tertiary lymphoid structures.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Adoptive Transfer / methods
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / administration & dosage*
  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Cancer Vaccines / immunology
  • Drug Administration Routes
  • Humans
  • Hydrogels / chemistry
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Immunotherapy / methods
  • Immunotherapy, Adoptive / methods
  • Lab-On-A-Chip Devices
  • Lymph Nodes / immunology*
  • Nanoparticles
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Tissue Engineering / methods*
  • Tissue Scaffolds

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological
  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Cancer Vaccines
  • Hydrogels
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors