Issue 9, 2021

Iron oxide nanoparticles for immune cell labeling and cancer immunotherapy

Abstract

Cancer immunotherapy is a novel approach to cancer treatment that leverages components of the immune system as opposed to chemotherapeutics or radiation. Cell migration is an integral process in a therapeutic immune response, and the ability to track and image the migration of immune cells in vivo allows for better characterization of the disease and monitoring of the therapeutic outcomes. Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) are promising candidates for use in immunotherapy as they are biocompatible, have flexible surface chemistry, and display magnetic properties that may be used in contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In this review, advances in application of IONPs in cell tracking and cancer immunotherapy are presented. Following a brief overview of the cancer immunity cycle, developments in labeling and tracking various immune cells using IONPs are highlighted. We also discuss factors that influence the effectiveness of IONPs as MRI contrast agents. Finally, we outline different approaches for cancer immunotherapy and highlight current efforts that utilize IONPs to stimulate immune cells to enhance their activity and response to cancer.

Graphical abstract: Iron oxide nanoparticles for immune cell labeling and cancer immunotherapy

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
28 3 2021
Accepted
12 7 2021
First published
15 7 2021

Nanoscale Horiz., 2021,6, 696-717

Iron oxide nanoparticles for immune cell labeling and cancer immunotherapy

S. Chung, R. A. Revia and M. Zhang, Nanoscale Horiz., 2021, 6, 696 DOI: 10.1039/D1NH00179E

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements