Delivering the “Living Drug”: T Cell Immunotherapy

Abstract

Background: Cancer is one of the most lethal diseases worldwide. Traditional approaches such as chemotherapy have toxic side e!ects. New therapies on the rise are more target specific. One such therapy, immunotherapy, has become increasingly attractive in the field. However, to ensure the modulated and controlled manipulation of the immune system, delivery methods for drugs cells and biomaterials must be developed.

Methods: In this review, we analyze the literature to discuss the recent advances in T cell immunotherapy as well as four delivery technologies that address the issues of safety and efficacy associated with this treatment.

Summary: We conclude that the CAR-T approach could be a step towards overcoming the inaccessibility of poorly vascularized tumors and the evasion mechanisms of tumor cells. Delivery methods such as surface conjugated nanoparticles, DNA nanocarriers, scafolds and artifcial antigen-presenting cells aim for a more tumor-targeted approach rather than a systemic one, making this therapy applicable in the clinic.