Certain gas molecules, including hydrogen (H2), nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), oxygen (O2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) exhibit significant biological functionalities that can modulate the immune response. Strategies pertaining to gas-based immune therapy have garnered considerable attention in recent years. Nevertheless, delivering various gas molecules precisely into tumors, which leads to enhanced anti-tumor immunotherapeutic effect, is still a main challenge. The advent of gas treatment modality with desirable immunotherapeutic efficiency has been made possible by the rapid development of nanotechnology, which even derives the concept of the gas immnuo-nanomedicines (GINMs). In light of the fact, we herein aim to furnish a cutting-edge review on the latest progress of GINMs. The underlying mechanisms of action for several gases utilized in cancer immunotherapy are initially outlined. Additionally, it provides a succinct overview of the current clinical landscape of gas therapy, and introduces GINMs specifically designed for cancer treatment based on immunotherapeutic principles across multiple strategies. Last but not least, we address the challenges and opportunities associated with GINMs, exploring the potential future developments and clinical applications of this innovative approach.
Keywords: Drug delivery; Gas immnuo-nanomedicines (GINMs); Gas molecules; Gas-based immune therapy; Nanotechnology.
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