Localized intratumoral delivery of immunomodulators for oral cancer and oral potentially malignant disorders

Oral Oncol. 2024 Nov:158:106986. doi: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2024.106986. Epub 2024 Aug 12.

Abstract

Immunotherapy has developed into an important modality of modern cancer treatment. Unfortunately, checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapies are currently delivered systemically and require frequent administration, which can result in toxicity and severe, sometimes fatal, adverse events. Localized delivery of immunomodulators for oral cancer and oral potentially malignant disorders offers the promise of maximum therapeutic potential and reduced systemic adverse effects. This review will discuss the limitations of current standard-of-care systemic therapies and highlight research advances in localized, intratumoral delivery platforms for immunotherapy for oral cancer and oral potentially malignant disorders.

Keywords: Biomaterials; Cancer; Immunotherapy; Oral cancer; Oral potentially malignant disorders; Oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / administration & dosage
  • Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use
  • Immunomodulating Agents / therapeutic use
  • Immunotherapy / methods
  • Mouth Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Mouth Neoplasms* / immunology

Substances

  • Immunologic Factors
  • Immunomodulating Agents