Injectable Hydrogel as a Unique Platform for Antitumor Therapy Targeting Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment

Yushuai Liu; Yuanyuan Geng; Beilei Yue; Pui-Chi Lo; Jing Huang; Honglin Jin

doi:10.3389/fimmu.2021.832942

Injectable Hydrogel as a Unique Platform for Antitumor Therapy Targeting Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment

Front Immunol. 2022 Jan 17:12:832942. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.832942. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Yushuai Liu¹, Yuanyuan Geng², Beilei Yue², Pui-Chi Lo³, Jing Huang², Honglin Jin²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Ophthalmology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
² College of Biomedicine and Health and College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.
³ Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, SAR China.

Abstract

Cancer immunotherapy can boost the immune response of patients to eliminate tumor cells and suppress tumor metastasis and recurrence. However, immunotherapy resistance and the occurrence of severe immune-related adverse effects are clinical challenges that remain to be addressed. The tumor microenvironment plays a crucial role in the therapeutic efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. Injectable hydrogels have emerged as powerful drug delivery platforms offering good biocompatibility and biodegradability, minimal invasion, convenient synthesis, versatility, high drug-loading capacity, controlled drug release, and low toxicity. In this review, we summarize the application of injectable hydrogels as a unique platform for targeting the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.

Keywords: abscopal effect; cancer immunotherapy; controlled drug release; immunogenic cell death; injectable hydrogels; tumor microenvironment (TME).

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

Animals
Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
Biomarkers, Tumor
Clinical Studies as Topic
Combined Modality Therapy / adverse effects
Combined Modality Therapy / methods
Delayed-Action Preparations
Drug Delivery Systems
Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
Humans
Hydrogels*
Immunocompromised Host / drug effects*
Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / drug effects
Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / immunology
Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / metabolism
Molecular Targeted Therapy* / methods
Neoplasms / immunology*
Neoplasms / pathology
Neoplasms / therapy*
Neovascularization, Pathologic / drug therapy
Neovascularization, Pathologic / immunology
Treatment Outcome
Tumor Microenvironment / drug effects*
Tumor Microenvironment / immunology*
Tumor-Associated Macrophages / drug effects
Tumor-Associated Macrophages / immunology
Tumor-Associated Macrophages / metabolism

Substances

Antineoplastic Agents
Biomarkers, Tumor
Delayed-Action Preparations
Hydrogels