Nanoparticle-based vaccine delivery for cancer immunotherapy

Spider minor ampullate silk protein nanoparticles: an effective protein delivery system capable of enhancing systemic immune responses

Spider silk proteins (spidroins) are particularly attractive due to their excellent biocompatibility. Spider can produce up to seven different types of spidroins, each with unique properties and functions. Spider minor ampullate silk protein (MiSp) might be particularly interesting for biomedical applications, as the constituent silk is mechanically strong and does not super-contract in water, attributed to its amino acid composition. In this study, we evaluate the potential of recombinant nanoparticles derived from Araneus ventricosus MiSp as a protein delivery carrier. The MiSp-based nanoparticles were able to serve as an effective delivery system, achieving nearly 100% efficiency in loading the model protein lysozyme, and displayed a sustained release profile at physiological pH. These nanoparticles could significantly improve the delivery efficacy of the model proteins through different administration routes. Furthermore, nanoparticles loaded with model protein antigen lysozyme after subcutaneous or intramuscular administration could enhance antigen-specific immune responses in mouse models, through a mechanism involving antigen-depot effects at the injection site, long-term antigen persistence, and efficient uptake by dendritic cells as well as internalization by lymph nodes. These findings highlight the transnational potential of MiSp-based nanoparticle system for protein drug and vaccine delivery.

Peptide nanovaccine in melanoma immunotherapy

Melanoma is an especially fatal neoplasm resistant to traditional treatment. The advancement of novel therapeutical approaches has gained attention in recent years by shedding light on the molecular mechanisms of melanoma tumorigenesis and their powerful interplay with the immune system. The presence of many mutations in melanoma cells results in the production of a varied array of antigens. These antigens can be recognized by the immune system, thereby enabling it to distinguish between tumors and healthy cells. In the context of peptide cancer vaccines, generally, they are designed based on tumor antigens that stimulate immunity through antigen-presenting cells (APCs). As naked peptides often have low potential in eliciting a desirable immune reaction, immunization with such compounds usually necessitates adjuvants and nanocarriers. Actually, nanoparticles (NPs) can provide a robust immune response to peptide-based melanoma vaccines. They improve the directing of peptide vaccines to APCs and induce the secretion of cytokines to get maximum immune response. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge of the utilization of nanotechnology in peptide vaccines emphasizing melanoma, as well as highlights the significance of physicochemical properties in determining the fate of these nanovaccines in vivo, including their drainage to lymph nodes, cellular uptake, and influence on immune responses.

A Glance on Nanovaccine: A Potential Approach for Disease Prevention

There are several vaccines available for preventing various bacterial and viral infections, but still, there are many challenges that require the development of noninvasive, more efficient, and active vaccines. The advancement in biotechnological tools has provided safer antigens, such as nucleic acids, proteins etc., but due to their lower immunogenic property, adjuvants of stronger immune response are required. Nanovaccines are effective vaccines when compared with conventional vaccines as they can induce both Humoral and cell-mediated immune responses and also provide longer immunogenic memory. The nanocarriers used in vaccines act as adjuvant. They provide site-specific delivery of antigens and can be used in conjugation with immunostimulatory molecules for enhancing adjuvant therapy. The nanovaccines avoid degrading cell pathways and provide effective absorption into blood vessels. The higher potential of nanovaccines to treat various diseases, such as acquired immuno deficiency syndrome, cancer, tuberculosis, malaria and many others, along with their immunological mechanisms and different types, have been discussed in the review.

Viral protein-based nanoparticles (part 2): Pharmaceutical applications

Viral protein nanoparticles (ViP NPs) such as virus-like particles and virosomes are structures halfway between viruses and synthetic nanoparticles. The biological nature of ViP NPs endows them with the biocompatibility, biodegradability, and functional properties that many synthetic nanoparticles lack. At the same time, the absence of a viral genome avoids the safety concerns of viruses. Such characteristics of ViP NPs offer a myriad of opportunities for theirapplication at several points across disease development: from prophylaxis to diagnosis and treatment. ViP NPs present remarkable immunostimulant properties, and thus the vaccination field has benefited the most from these platforms capable of overcoming the limitations of both traditional and subunit vaccines. This was reflected in the marketing authorization of several VLP- and virosome-based vaccines. Besides, ViP NPs inherit the ability of viruses to deliver their cargo to target cells. Because of that, ViP NPs are promising candidates as vectors for drug and gene delivery, and for diagnostic applications. In this review, we analyze the pharmaceutical applications of ViP NPs, describing the products that are commercially available or under clinical evaluation, but also the advances that scientists are making toward the implementation of ViP NPs in other areas of major pharmaceutical interest.

Biogenetic Vesicle-Based Cancer Vaccines with Tunable Surface Potential and Immune Potency

Cancer vaccines are designed to motivate antigen-specific immune responses and facilitate tumor regression with minimal side effects. To fully exert the potential of vaccines, rationally designed formulations that effectively deliver antigens and trigger potent immune reactions are urgently needed. This study demonstrates a simple and controllable vaccine-developing strategy that assembles tumor antigens into bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), natural delivery vehicles with intrinsic immune adjuvant properties, via electrostatic interaction. This OMV-delivered vaccine (OMVax) stimulated both innate and adaptive immune responses, leading to enhanced metastasis inhibition and prolonged survival of tumor-bearing mice. Moreover, the influence of different surface charged OMVax on antitumor immunity activation is investigated and declined immune response activation occurred with increased positive surface charge. Together, these findings suggest a simple vaccine formulation that can be enhanced by optimizing the surface charges of vaccine formulations.

Biomaterials Facilitating Dendritic Cell-Mediated Cancer Immunotherapy

Dendritic cell (DC)-based cancer immunotherapy has exhibited remarkable clinical prospects because DCs play a central role in initiating and regulating adaptive immune responses. However, the application of traditional DC-mediated immunotherapy is limited due to insufficient antigen delivery, inadequate antigen presentation, and high levels of immunosuppression. To address these challenges, engineered biomaterials have been exploited to enhance DC-mediated immunotherapeutic effects. In this review, vital principal components that can enhance DC-mediated immunotherapeutic effects are first introduced. The parameters considered in the rational design of biomaterials, including targeting modifications, size, shape, surface, and mechanical properties, which can affect biomaterial optimization of DC functions, are further summarized. Moreover, recent applications of various engineered biomaterials in the field of DC-mediated immunotherapy are reviewed, including those serve as immune component delivery platforms, remodel the tumor microenvironment, and synergistically enhance the effects of other antitumor therapies. Overall, the present review comprehensively and systematically summarizes biomaterials related to the promotion of DC functions; and specifically focuses on the recent advances in biomaterial designs for DC activation to eradicate tumors. The challenges and opportunities of treatment strategies designed to amplify DCs via the application of biomaterials are discussed with the aim of inspiring the clinical translation of future DC-mediated cancer immunotherapies.

Nanoparticle-Based Chimeric Antigen Receptor Therapy for Cancer Immunotherapy

Adoptive cell therapy with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T cells (CAR-Ts) has emerged as an innovative immunotherapy for hematological cancer treatment. However, the limited effect on solid tumors, complex processes, and excessive manufacturing costs remain as limitations of CAR-T therapy. Nanotechnology provides an alternative to the conventional CAR-T therapy. Owing to their unique physicochemical properties, nanoparticles can not only serve as a delivery platform for drugs but also target specific cells. Nanoparticle-based CAR therapy can be applied not only to T cells but also to CAR-natural killer and CAR-macrophage, compensating for some of their limitations. This review focuses on the introduction of nanoparticle-based advanced CAR immune cell therapy and future perspectives on immune cell reprogramming.

Recent advancements in immunotherapy of melanoma using nanotechnology-based strategies

Melanoma is a malignant tumor that accounts for the deadliest form of skin cancers. Despite the significant efforts made recently for development of immunotherapeutic strategies including using immune checkpoint inhibitors and cancer vaccines, the clinical outcomes are unsatisfying. Different factors affect efficient cancer immunotherapy such as side-effects, immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and tumor heterogeneity. In the past decades, various nanotechnology-based approaches have been developed to enhance the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy, in addition to diminishing the toxicity associated with it. Several studies have shown that proper application of nanomaterials can revolutionize the outcome of immunotherapy in diverse melanoma models. This review summarizes the recent advancement in the integration of nanotechnology and cancer immunotherapy in melanoma treatment. The importance of nanomaterials and their therapeutic advantages for patients with melanoma are also discussed.

Photothermal-triggered dendrimer nanovaccines boost systemic antitumor immunity

Tumor vaccine that can effectively activate or strengthen the body's antitumor immune response to kill and eliminate tumor cells has attracted widespread attention. Currently developed tumor vaccines have severe shortcomings such as low bioavailability and lack of dual or multiple functions, resulting in poor antitumor efficacy. Herein, we report the development of an advanced nanosystem integrated with phenylboronic acid (PBA)-functionalized poly(amidoamine) dendrimers of generation 5 (G5), copper sulfide nanoparticles, and cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP), an immune adjuvant (for short, G5-PBA@CuS/cGAMP) to act as a photothermal-triggered nanovaccine. We show that the prepared functional nanosystem possesses an average CuS core size of 3.6 nm, prominent near-infrared absorption feature to have an excellent photothermal conversion efficiency of 44.0%, and good protein adsorption characteristics due to the PBA modification. With these features, the developed nanosystem can be adopted for photothermal therapy of primary melanoma tumors and simultaneously absorb the whole tumor cell antigens, thus creating photothermal-triggered dendrimeric nanovaccine of G5-PBA@CuS/cGAMP/antigen in situ to induce antitumor immune response to inhibit the distal tumors as well. Meanwhile, melanoma cells treated with the G5-PBA@CuS in vitro under laser irradiation allowed the creation of G5-PBA@CuS/antigen complexes that could be further integrated with cGAMP to form preformed nanovaccine for effective primary tumor inhibition and tumor occurrence prevention. The designed photothermal-triggered dendrimeric nanovaccine may represent an advanced nanomedicine formulation to effectively inhibit the growth of primary and distal tumors, and prevent tumor occurrence through the stimulated systemic antitumor immunity.

Immunogenicity of Different Types of Adjuvants and Nano-Adjuvants in Veterinary Vaccines: A Comprehensive Review

Vaccination is the best way to prevent and reduce the damage caused by infectious diseases in animals and humans. So, several vaccines are used for prophylactic purposes before the pathogen infects, while therapeutic vaccines strengthen the immune system after infection with the pathogen. Adjuvants are molecules, compounds, or macromolecules that enhance non-specific immunity and, in collaboration with antigen(s), can improve the body's immune responses and change the type of immune response. The potential and toxicity of adjuvants must be balanced to provide the safest stimulation with the fewest side effects. In order to overcome the limitations of adjuvants and the effective and controlled delivery of antigens, attention has been drawn to nano-carriers that can be a promising platform for better presenting and stimulating the immune system. Some studies show that nanoparticles have a more remarkable ability to act as adjuvants than microparticles. Because nano-adjuvants inactively target antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and change their chemical surface, nanoparticles also perform better in targeted antigen delivery because they cross biological barriers more easily. We collected and reviewed various types of nano-adjuvants with their specific roles in immunogenicity as a prominent strategy used in veterinary vaccines in this paper.

Advanced implications of nanotechnology in disease control and environmental perspectives

Nanotechnology encompasses a wide range of devices derived from biology, engineering, chemistry, and physics, and this scientific field is composed of great collaboration among researchers from several fields. It has diverse implications notably smart sensing technologies, effective disease diagnosis, and sometimes used in treatment. In medical science, the implications of nanotechnology include the development of elements and devices that interact with the body at subcellular (i.e., molecular) levels exhibiting high sensitivity and specificity. There is a plethora of new chances for medical science and disease treatment to be discovered and exploited in the rapidly developing field of nanotechnology. In different sectors, nanomaterials are used just because of their special characteristics. Their large surface area of them enables higher reactivity with greater efficiency. Furthermore, special surface chemistry is displayed by nanomaterials which compare to conventional materials and facilitate the nanomaterials to decrease pollutants efficiently. Recently, nanomaterials are used in some countries to reduce the levels of contaminants in water, air, and soil. Moreover, nanomaterials are used in the cosmetics and medical industry, and it develops the drug discovery (DD) system. Among a huge number of nanomaterials, Cu, Ag, TiO₂, ZnO, Fe₃O₄, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are extensively used in different industries for various purposes. This extensive review study has introduced the major scientific and technical features of nanotechnology, as well as some possible clinical applications and positive feedback in environmental waste management and drug delivery systems.

Role of Nanomaterials in COVID-19 Prevention, Diagnostics, Therapeutics, and Vaccine Development

Facing the deadly pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus all over the globe, it is crucial to devote efforts to fighting and preventing this infectious virus. Nanomaterials have gained much attention after the approval of lipid nanoparticle-based COVID-19 vaccines by the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA). In light of increasing demands for utilizing nanomaterials in the management of COVID-19, this comprehensive review focuses on the role of nanomaterials in the prevention, diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccine development of COVID-19. First, we highlight the variety of nanomaterials usage in the prevention of COVID-19. We discuss the advantages of nanomaterials as well as their uses in the production of diagnostic tools and treatment methods. Finally, we review the role of nanomaterials in COVID-19 vaccine development. This review offers direction for creating products based on nanomaterials to combat COVID-19.

Development of a rapid in vitro pre-screen for distinguishing effective liposome-adjuvant delivery systems

Liposomes are a strong supporting tool in vaccine technology, as they are a versatile system that not only act as antigen delivery systems but also adjuvants that can be highly effective at stimulating both innate and adaptive immune responses. Their ability to induce cell-mediated immunity makes their use in vaccines a useful tool in the development of novel, more effective vaccines against intracellular infections (e.g. HIV, malaria and tuberculosis). Currently, screening of novel liposome formulations uses murine in vivo models which generate data that often correlates poorly with human data. In addition, these models are both high cost and low throughput, making them prohibitive for large scale screening of formulation libraries. This study uses the cationic liposome formulation DDA:TDB (known as cationic adjuvant formulation 01 (CAF01)), as a lead formulation, along with other liposome formulations of known in vivo efficacy to develop an in vitro screening tool for liposome formulation development. THP-1-derived macrophages were the model antigen presenting cell used to assess the ability of the liposome formulations to attract, associate with and activate antigen presenting cells in vitro, crucial steps necessary for an effective immune response to antigen. By using a combination of in vitro functions, the study highlights the potential use of an in vitro screening tool, to predict the in vivo efficacy of novel liposome formulations. CAF01 was predicted as the most effective liposome formulation when assessing all in vitro functions and a measure of in vitro activation was able to predict 80% of the liposome correctly for their ability to induce an in vivo IFN-ү response.

Emerging advances in nanomedicine for breast cancer immunotherapy: opportunities and challenges

Breast cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer-related morbidity and mortality in women worldwide. Early diagnosis and an appropriate therapeutic approach for all cancers are climacterics for a favorable prognosis. Targeting the immune system in breast cancer is already a clinical reality with notable successes, specifically with checkpoint blockade antibodies and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy. However, there have been inevitable setbacks in the clinical application of cancer immunotherapy, including inadequate immune responses due to insufficient delivery of immunostimulants to immune cells and uncontrolled immune system modulation. Rapid advancements and new evidence have suggested that nanomedicine-based immunotherapy may be a viable option for treating breast cancer.

Tracing New Landscapes in the Arena of Nanoparticle-Based Cancer Immunotherapy

Over the past two decades, unique and comprehensive cancer treatment has ushered new hope in the holistic management of the disease. Cancer immunotherapy, which harnesses the immune system of the patient to attack the cancer cells in a targeted manner, scores over others by being less debilitating compared to the existing treatment strategies. Significant advancements in the knowledge of immune surveillance in the last few decades have led to the development of several types of immune therapy like monoclonal antibodies, cancer vaccines, immune checkpoint inhibitors, T-cell transfer therapy or adoptive cell therapy (ACT) and immune system modulators. Intensive research has established cancer immunotherapy to be a safe and effective method for improving survival and the quality of a patient’s life. However, numerous issues with respect to site-specific delivery, resistance to immunotherapy, and escape of cancer cells from immune responses, need to be addressed for expanding and utilizing this therapy as a regular mode in the clinical treatment. Development in the field of nanotechnology has augmented the therapeutic efficiency of treatment modalities of immunotherapy. Nanocarriers could be used as vehicles because of their advantages such as increased surface areas, targeted delivery, controlled surface and release chemistry, enhanced permeation and retention effect, etc. They could enhance the function of immune cells by incorporating immunomodulatory agents that influence the tumor microenvironment, thus enabling antitumor immunity. Robust validation of the combined effect of nanotechnology and immunotherapy techniques in the clinics has paved the way for a better treatment option for cancer than the already existing procedures such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In this review, we discuss the current applications of nanoparticles in the development of ‘smart’ cancer immunotherapeutic agents like ACT, cancer vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, their site-specific delivery, and modulation of other endogenous immune cells. We also highlight the immense possibilities of using nanotechnology to accomplish leveraging the coordinated and adaptive immune system of a patient to tackle the complexity of treating unique disease conditions and provide future prospects in the field of cancer immunotherapy.

Carrier-Free Nanomedicine for Cancer Immunotherapy

With the rapid development of nanotechnology, carrier-based nano-drug delivery systems (DDSs) have been widely studied due to their advantages in optimizing pharmacokinetic and distribution profiles. However, despite those merits, some carrier-related limitations, such as low drug-loading capacity, systematic toxicity and unclear metabolism, usually prevent their further clinical transformation. Carrier-free nanomedicines with non-therapeutic excipients, are considered as an excellent paradigm to overcome these obstacles, owing to their superiority in improving both drug delivery efficacy and safety concern. In recent years, carrier-free nanomedicines have opened new horizons for cancer immunotherapy, and have already made outstanding progress. Herein, in this review, we are focusing on making an integrated and exhaustive overview of lately reports about them. Firstly, the major synthetic strategies of carrier-free nanomedicines are introduced, such as nanocrystals, prodrug-, amphiphilic drug-drug conjugates (ADDCs)-, polymer-drug conjugates-, and peptide-drug conjugates (PepDCs)-assembled nanomedicines. Afterwards, the typical applications of carrier-free nanomedicines in cancer immunotherapy are well-discussed, including cancer vaccines, cytokine therapy, enhancing T-cell checkpoint inhibition, as well as modulating tumor microenvironment (TME). After that, both the advantages and the potential challenges, as well as the future prospects of carrier-free nanomedicines in cancer immunotherapy, were discussed. And we believe that it would be of great potential practiced and reference value to the relative fields.

Anti-COVID-19 Nanomaterials: Directions to Improve Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Following the announcement of the outbreak of COVID-19 by the World Health Organization, unprecedented efforts were made by researchers around the world to combat the disease. So far, various methods have been developed to combat this "virus" nano enemy, in close collaboration with the clinical and scientific communities. Nanotechnology based on modifiable engineering materials and useful physicochemical properties has demonstrated several methods in the fight against SARS-CoV-2. Here, based on what has been clarified so far from the life cycle of SARS-CoV-2, through an interdisciplinary perspective based on computational science, engineering, pharmacology, medicine, biology, and virology, the role of nano-tools in the trio of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment is highlighted. The special properties of different nanomaterials have led to their widespread use in the development of personal protective equipment, anti-viral nano-coats, and disinfectants in the fight against SARS-CoV-2 out-body. The development of nano-based vaccines acts as a strong shield in-body. In addition, fast detection with high efficiency of SARS-CoV-2 by nanomaterial-based point-of-care devices is another nanotechnology capability. Finally, nanotechnology can play an effective role as an agents carrier, such as agents for blocking angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors, gene editing agents, and therapeutic agents. As a general conclusion, it can be said that nanoparticles can be widely used in disinfection applications outside in vivo. However, in in vivo applications, although it has provided promising results, it still needs to be evaluated for possible unintended immunotoxicity. Reviews like these can be important documents for future unwanted pandemics.

The Landscape of Nanovectors for Modulation in Cancer Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy represents a promising strategy for the treatment of cancer, which functions via the reprogramming and activation of antitumor immunity. However, adverse events resulting from immunotherapy that are related to the low specificity of tumor cell-targeting represent a limitation of immunotherapy's efficacy. The potential of nanotechnologies is represented by the possibilities of immunotherapeutical agents being carried by nanoparticles with various material types, shapes, sizes, coated ligands, associated loading methods, hydrophilicities, elasticities, and biocompatibilities. In this review, the principal types of nanovectors (nanopharmaceutics and bioinspired nanoparticles) are summarized along with the shortcomings in nanoparticle delivery and the main factors that modulate efficacy (the EPR effect, protein coronas, and microbiota). The mechanisms by which nanovectors can target cancer cells, the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), and the peripheral immune system are also presented. A possible mathematical model for the cellular communication mechanisms related to exosomes as nanocarriers is proposed.

Brief on Recent Application of Liposomal Vaccines for Lower Respiratory Tract Viral Infections: From Influenza to COVID-19 Vaccines

Vaccination is the most effective means of preventing infectious diseases and saving lives. Modern biotechnology largely enabled vaccine development. In the meantime, recent advances in pharmaceutical technology have resulted in the emergence of nanoparticles that are extensively investigated as promising miniaturized drug delivery systems. Scientists are particularly interested in liposomes as an important carrier for vaccine development. Wide acceptability of liposomes lies in their flexibility and versatility. Due to their unique vesicular structure with alternating aqueous and lipid compartments, liposomes can enclose both hydrophilic and lipophilic compounds, including antigens. Liposome composition can be tailored to obtain the desired immune response and adjuvant characteristics. During the current pandemic of COVID-19, many liposome-based vaccines have been developed with great success. This review covers a liposome-based vaccine designed particularly to combat viral infection of the lower respiratory tract (LRT), i.e., infection of the lung, specifically in the lower airways. Viruses such as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2) are common causes of LRT infections, hence this review mainly focuses on this category of viruses.

Delivery of a Cancer-Testis Antigen-Derived Peptide Using Conformationally Restricted Dipeptide-Based Self-Assembled Nanotubes

Use of tumor-associated antigens for cancer immunotherapy is limited due to their poor in vivo stability and low cellular uptake. Delivery of antigenic peptides using synthetic polymer-based nanostructures has been actively pursued but with limited success. Peptide-based nanostructures hold much promise as delivery vehicles due to their easy design and synthesis and inherent biocompatibility. Here, we report self-assembly of a dipeptide containing a non-natural amino acid, α,β-dehydrophenylalanine (ΔF), into nanotubes, which efficiently entrapped a MAGE-3-derived peptide (M3). M3 entrapped in F-ΔF nanotubes was more stable to a nonspecific protease treatment and both F-ΔF and F-ΔF-M3 showed no cellular toxicity for four cancerous and noncancerous cell lines used. F-ΔF-M3 showed significantly higher cellular uptake in RAW 267.4 macrophage cells compared to M3 alone and also induced in vitro maturation of dendritic cells (DCs). Immunization of mice with F-ΔF-M3 selected a higher number of IFN-γ secreting CD8⁺ T cells and CD4⁺ T compared to M3 alone. On day 21, a tumor growth inhibition ratio (TGI, %) of 41% was observed in a murine melanoma model. These results indicate that F-ΔF nanotubes are highly biocompatible, efficiently delivered M3 to generate cytotoxic T lymphocytes responses, and able to protect M3 from degradation under in vivo conditions. The F-ΔF dipeptide-based nanotubes may be considered as a good platform for further development as delivery agents.

Nanoparticles of Chitosan/Poly(D,L-Lactide-Co-Glycolide) Enhanced the Immune Responses of Haemonchus contortus HCA59 Antigen in Model Mice

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma-associated antigen 59 (HCA59) from excretory/secretory products of Haemonchus contortus is known to have the ability to modulate the functions of host cells. However, its immunogenicities using different nanoparticles adjuvants remain poorly understood.

Purpose

The study aimed to select an efficient nanoparticle antigen delivery system, which could enhance the immune responses of Haemonchus contortus HCA59 in mice.

Methods

Here, the immune responses induced by the recombinant protein of HCA59 (rHCA59) with poly-D,L-lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) nanoparticles, Chitosan nanoparticles, mixture of PLGA and Chitosan nanoparticles (rHCA59-Chitosan-PLGA), and Freund’s complete adjuvant were observed, respectively, in mice. Cytokine and antibody levels induced by different groups were detected by ELISA assay. The effects of lymphocyte proliferations on different groups were examined using CCK-8 kit. Phenotypes of T cells and dendritic cells were analyzed by flow cytometry.

Results

On day 14 post vaccination, levels of IgM, IgG1, IgG2a, IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-17 were significantly increased in the groups immunized with rHCA59 encapsulated with nanoparticles. After mice were vaccinated with rHCA59 loaded with Chitosan/PLGA nanoparticles, lymphocytes proliferated significantly. Additionally, the percentages of CD4⁺ T cells (CD3⁺ CD4⁺), CD8⁺ T cells (CD3⁺ CD8⁺), and dendritic cells (CD11c⁺ CD83⁺, CD11c⁺ CD86⁺) were obviously up-regulated in the mice immunized with nanoparticles, especially in the rHCA59-Chitosan-PLGA antigen delivery system group.

Conclusion

The findings of this research demonstrated that rHCA59-Chitosan-PLGA antigen delivery system could induce higher immune responses in mice model and indicated that rHCA59 might be a good candidate molecule to develop nanovaccines against Haemonchus contortus in future study.

Preclinical models and technologies to advance nanovaccine development

The remarkable success of targeted immunotherapies is revolutionizing cancer treatment. However, tumor heterogeneity and low immunogenicity, in addition to several tumor-associated immunosuppression mechanisms are among the major factors that have precluded the success of cancer vaccines as targeted cancer immunotherapies. The exciting outcomes obtained in patients upon the injection of tumor-specific antigens and adjuvants intratumorally, reinvigorated interest in the use of nanotechnology to foster the delivery of vaccines to address cancer unmet needs. Thus, bridging nano-based vaccine platform development and predicted clinical outcomes the selection of the proper preclinical model will be fundamental. Preclinical models have revealed promising outcomes for cancer vaccines. However, only few cases were associated with clinical responses. This review addresses the major challenges related to the translation of cancer nano-based vaccines to the clinic, discussing the requirements for ex vivo and in vivo models of cancer to ensure the translation of preclinical success to patients.

Enhancing Cancer Immunotherapy Treatment Goals by Using Nanoparticle Delivery System

Recently, there has been an incredible increase in research about the abnormal growth of cells (neoplasm), focusing on the management, treatment and preventing reoccurrence. It has been understood that the natural defense system, composed of a variety of immune defensive cells, does not just limit its function in eliminating neoplastic cells, but also controls the growth and spread of tumor cells of different kinds to other parts of the body. Cancer immunotherapy, is a cancer treatment plan that educates the body’s defensive system to forestall, control, and eliminate tumor cells. The effectiveness of immunotherapy is achieved, to its highest efficacy, by the use of nanoparticles (NPs) for precise and timely delivery of immunotherapies to specific targeted neoplasms, with less or no harm to the healthy cells. Immunotherapies have been affirmed in clinical trials as a cancer regimen for various types of cancers, the side effects resulting from imprecise and non-targeted conveyance is well managed with the use of nanoparticles. Nonetheless, we will concentrate on enhancing cancer immunotherapy approaches by the use of nanoparticles for the productivity of antitumor immunity. Nanoparticles will be presented and utilized as an objective immunotherapy delivery system for high exactness and are thus a promising methodology for cancer treatment.

The Use of Nanobiotechnology in Immunology and Vaccination

Nanotechnology uses the unique properties of nanostructures with a size of 1 to 200 nanometers. Different nanoparticles have shown great promise for the production of new vaccines and drugs. Nanostructures can be used to deliver immunological compounds more effectively than microstructures to target sites. Different nanostructures can be applied to form a new generation of vaccines, adjuvants, and immune system drugs. The goal of nanotechnology is to better respond to a wide range of infectious and non-infectious diseases.

An Antigen-Delivery Protein Nanoparticle Combined with Anti-PD-1 Checkpoint Inhibitor Has Curative Efficacy in an Aggressive Melanoma Model

Immune checkpoint inhibition is a promising alternative treatment to standard chemotherapies; however, it fails to achieve long-term remission in a significant portion of patients. A previously developed protein nanoparticle-based platform (E2 nanoparticle) delivers cancer antigens to increase antigen-specific tumor responses. While prior work has focussed on prophylactic conditions, the objectives in this study are therapeutic. It is hypothesized that immune checkpoint inhibition, when augmented by antigen delivery using E2 nanoparticles containing CpG oligonucleotide 1826 (CpG) and a glycoprotein 100 (gp100) melanoma antigen epitope (CpG-gp-E2), would synergistically elicit antitumor responses. To identify a regimen primed for obtaining effective treatment results, immune benchmarks in the spleen and tumor are examined. Conditions that lead to significant immune activation, including increases in gp100-specific interferon gamma (IFN-𝜸), CD8 T cells in the spleen, tumor-infiltrating CD8 T cells, and survival time are identified. Based on the findings, the resulting combination of CpG-gp-E2 and anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (anti-PD-1) treatment in tumor-challenged mice yield significantly increased long-term survival; more than 50% of the mice treated with combination therapy were tumor-free, compared with 0% and ≈5% for CpG-gp-E2 and anti-PD-1 alone, respectively. Evidence of a durable antitumor response is also observed upon tumor rechallenge, pointing to long-lasting immune memory.

Doxorubicin-Loaded PLGA Nanoparticles for Cancer Therapy: Molecular Weight Effect of PLGA in Doxorubicin Release for Controlling Immunogenic Cell Death

Direct local delivery of immunogenic cell death (ICD) inducers to a tumor site is an attractive approach for leading ICD effectively, due to enabling the concentrated delivery of ICD inducers to the tumor site. Herein, we prepared doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) using different molecular weight PLGA (7000 g/mol and 12,000 g/mol), showing different drug release kinetics. The different release kinetics of DOX might differently stimulate a tumor cell-specific immune response by releasing damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), resulting in showing a different antitumor response in the living body. DOX-PLGA_7K NPs showed faster DOX release kinetics than DOX-PLGA_12K NPs in the physiological condition. DOX-PLGA_7K NPs and DOX-PLGA_12K NPs were successfully taken up by the CT-26 tumor cells, subsequently showing different DOX localization times at the nucleus. Released DOX successfully lead to cytotoxicity and HMGB1 release in vitro. Although the DOX-PLGA_7K NPs and DOX-PLGA_12K NPs showed different sustained DOX release kinetics in vitro, tumor growth of the CT-26 tumor was similarly inhibited for 28 days post-direct tumor injection. Furthermore, the immunological memory effect was successfully established by the ICD-based tumor-specific immune responses, including DC maturation and tumor infiltration of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). We expect that the controlled release of ICD-inducible chemotherapeutic agents, using different types of nanomedicines, can provide potential in precision cancer immunotherapy by controlling the tumor-specific immune responses, thus improving the therapeutic efficacy.

Nanotechnological strategies for systemic microbial infections treatment: A review

Systemic infections is one of the major causes of mortality worldwide, and a shortage of drug approaches applied for the rapid and necessary treatment contribute to increase the levels of death in affected patients. Several drug delivery systems based in nanotechnology such as metallic nanoparticles, liposomes, nanoemulsion, microemulsion, polymeric nanoparticles, solid lipid nanoparticles, dendrimers, hydrogels and liquid crystals can contribute in the biological performance of active substances for the treatment of microbial diseases triggered by fungi, bacteria, virus and parasites. In the presentation of these statements, this review article present and demonstrate the effectiveness of these drug delivery systems for the treatment of systemic diseases caused by several microorganisms, through a review of studies on scientific literature worldwide that contributes to better information for the most diverse professionals from the areas of health sciences. The studies demonstrated that the drug delivery systems described can contribute to the therapeutic scenario of these diseases, being classified as safe, active platforms and with therapeutic versatility.

Nanoparticles in cancer immunotherapies: An innovative strategy

Cancer has been one of the most significant causes of mortality, worldwide. Cancer immunotherapy has recently emerged as a competent, cancer-fighting clinical strategy. Nevertheless, due to the difficulty of such treatments, costs, and off-target adverse effects, the implementation of cancer immunotherapy described by the antigen-presenting cell (APC) vaccine and chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy ex vivo in large clinical trials have been limited. Nowadays, the nanoparticles theranostic system as a promising target-based modality provides new opportunities to improve cancer immunotherapy difficulties and reduce their adverse effects. Meanwhile, the appropriate engineering of nanoparticles taking into consideration nanoparticle characteristics, such as, size, shape, and surface features, as well as the use of these physicochemical properties for suitable biological interactions, provides new possibilities for the application of nanoparticles in cancer immunotherapy. In this review article, we focus on the latest state-of-the-art nanoparticle-based antigen/adjuvant delivery vehicle strategies to professional APCs and engineering specific T lymphocyte required for improving the efficiency of tumor-specific immunotherapy.

Nanotechnology for COVID-19: Therapeutics and Vaccine Research

The current global health threat by the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) requires an urgent deployment of advanced therapeutic options available. The role of nanotechnology is highly relevant to counter this "virus" nano enemy. Nano intervention is discussed in terms of designing effective nanocarriers to counter the conventional limitations of antiviral and biological therapeutics. This strategy directs the safe and effective delivery of available therapeutic options using engineered nanocarriers, blocking the initial interactions of viral spike glycoprotein with host cell surface receptors, and disruption of virion construction. Controlling and eliminating the spread and reoccurrence of this pandemic demands a safe and effective vaccine strategy. Nanocarriers have potential to design risk-free and effective immunization strategies for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccine candidates such as protein constructs and nucleic acids. We discuss recent as well as ongoing nanotechnology-based therapeutic and prophylactic strategies to fight against this pandemic, outlining the key areas for nanoscientists to step in.

Reversal of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment by nanoparticle-based activation of immune-associated cells

Immunotherapy that activates the host immune system to reverse immunosuppression has emerged as a new generation of cancer treatment in both preclinical studies and clinical trials. Although immunotherapy has shown significant achievements in the treatment of various cancers, it faces challenges that limit its further evolution such as poor permeation and modest responsiveness. The development of nanoparticle drug delivery system has provided an opportunity to overcome these drawbacks and to achieve optimized immunotherapy. Based on the research of our group, we here introduce the new strategies being employed using nanoscale intelligent drug delivery systems to enhance the effects of cancer immunotherapy. We also provide a perspective on the further possible application of nanoparticles in more effective antitumor immunotherapy.

Functionalized Folate-Modified Graphene Oxide/PEI siRNA Nanocomplexes for Targeted Ovarian Cancer Gene Therapy

Gene therapy is emerging as a valid method for the treatment of ovarian cancer, including small interfering RNA (siRNA). Although it is so powerful, few targeting efficient gene delivery systems seriously hindered the development of gene therapy. In this study, we synthesized a novel gene vector PEG-GO-PEI-FA by functionalized graphene oxide (GO), in which folic acid (FA) can specifically bind to the folate receptor (FR), which is overexpressed in ovarian cancer. Characterizations of the nanocomplexes were evaluated by dynamic light scattering (DLS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The siRNA condensation ability and stability were assessed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Cellular uptake efficiency and lysosomal escape ability in ovarian cancer cells were investigated by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Furthermore, cellular biosafety of the system and inhibitory of the siRNA tolerability were evaluated by CCK-8 assay. The size of the PEG-GO-PEI-FA nanocomplexes was 216.1 ± 2.457 nm, exhibiting mild cytotoxicity in ovarian cancer cells. With high uptake efficiency, PEG-GO-PEI-FA can escape from the lysosome rapidly and release the gene. Moreover, PEG-GO-PEI-FA/siRNA can effectively inhibit the growth of ovarian cancer cells. By and large, the PEG-GO-PEI-FA/siRNA may offer a promising strategy for siRNA delivery in the treatment of FR-positive ovarian carcinoma or similar tumors.

Far Beyond Cancer Immunotherapy: Reversion of Multi-Malignant Phenotypes of Immunotherapeutic-Resistant Cancer by Targeting the NANOG Signaling Axis

Cancer immunotherapy, in the form of vaccination, adoptive cellular transfer, or immune checkpoint inhibitors, has emerged as a promising practice within the field of oncology. However, despite the developing field's potential to revolutionize cancer treatment, the presence of immunotherapeutic-resistant tumor cells in many patients present a challenge and limitation to these immunotherapies. These cells not only indicate immunotherapeutic resistance, but also show multi-modal resistance to conventional therapies, abnormal metabolism, stemness, and metastasis. How can immunotherapeutic-resistant tumor cells render multi-malignant phenotypes? We reasoned that the immune-refractory phenotype could be associated with multi-malignant phenotypes and that these phenotypes are linked together by a factor that acts as the master regulator. In this review, we discussed the role of the embryonic transcription factor NANOG as a crucial master regulator we named “common factor” in multi-malignant phenotypes and presented strategies to overcome multi-malignancy in immunotherapeutic-resistant cancer by restraining the NANOG-mediated multi-malignant signaling axis. Strategies that blunt the NANOG axis could improve the clinical management of therapy-refractory cancer.

A nano-based thermotherapy for cancer stem cell-targeted therapy

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) exhibit high resistance to conventional therapy and are responsible for cancer metastasis and tumor relapse.

Microfluidics-Assisted Size Tuning and Biological Evaluation of PLGA Particles

Polymeric particles made up of biodegradable and biocompatible polymers such as poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) are promising tools for several biomedical applications including drug delivery. Particular emphasis is placed on the size and surface functionality of these systems as they are regarded as the main protagonists in dictating the particle behavior in vitro and in vivo. Current methods of manufacturing polymeric drug carriers offer a wide range of achievable particle sizes, however, they are unlikely to accurately control the size while maintaining the same production method and particle uniformity, as well as final production yield. Microfluidics technology has emerged as an efficient tool to manufacture particles in a highly controllable manner. Here, we report on tuning the size of PLGA particles at diameters ranging from sub-micron to microns using a single microfluidics device, and demonstrate how particle size influences the release characteristics, cellular uptake and in vivo clearance of these particles. Highly controlled production of PLGA particles with ~100 nm, ~200 nm, and >1000 nm diameter is achieved through modification of flow and formulation parameters. Efficiency of particle uptake by dendritic cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells isolated from mice is strongly correlated with particle size and is most efficient for ~100 nm particles. Particles systemically administered to mice mainly accumulate in liver and ~100 nm particles are cleared slower. Our study shows the direct relation between particle size varied through microfluidics and the pharmacokinetics behavior of particles, which provides a further step towards the establishment of a customizable production process to generate tailor-made nanomedicines.

Gold nanoparticles in chemo-, immuno-, and combined therapy: review [Invited]

Functionalized gold nanoparticles (GNPs) with controlled geometrical and optical properties have been the subject of intense research and biomedical applications. This review summarizes recent data and topical problems in nanomedicine that are related to the use of variously sized, shaped, and structured GNPs. We focus on three topical fields in current nanomedicine: (1) use of GNP-based nanoplatforms for the targeted delivery of anticancer and antimicrobial drugs and of genes; (2) GNP-based cancer immunotherapy; and (3) combined chemo-, immuno-, and phototherapy. We present a summary of the available literature data and a short discussion of future work.

Nanotechnology approaches to eradicating HIV reservoirs

The advent of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has transformed HIV-1 infection into a controllable chronic disease, but these therapies are incapable of eradicating the virus to bring about an HIV cure. Multiple strategies have been proposed and investigated to eradicate latent viral reservoirs from various biological sanctuaries. However, due to the complexity of HIV infection and latency maintenance, a single drug is unlikely to eliminate all HIV reservoirs and novel strategies may be needed to achieve better efficacy while limiting systemic toxicity. In this review, we describe HIV latency in cellular and anatomical reservoirs, and present an overview of current strategies for HIV cure with a focus on their challenges for clinical translation. Then we provide a summary of nanotechnology solutions that have been used to address challenges in HIV cure by delivering physicochemically diverse agents for combination therapy or targeting HIV reservoir sites. We also review nanocarrier-based gene delivery and immunotherapy used in cancer treatment but may have potential applications in HIV cure.

Mannose functionalized plain and endosomolytic nanocomposite(s)-based approach for the induction of effective antitumor immune response in C57BL/6 mice melanoma model

The goal of present study to assess the antigen specific immunopotentiation effect of mannose functionalized endosomolytic and conventional nanocomposite(s) based combination approach using C57BL/6 mice melanoma model. Endosomolytic and conventional nanocomposite(s) were prepared by double emulsification method. The optimized formulation was extensively characterized for average particle size, zeta potential and PDI of nanocomposite(s) which were measured in range of ≈200 nm, 0.111 ± 0.024, -23.4 ± 2.0 mV, respectively. pH-dependent morphological changes in the surface of MRPRPNs and PRPNs were analyzed by using surface electron microscopy at different time intervals. The cellular uptake assessment of developed formulations were followed by using RAW 264.7 macrophage cell lines. Results revealed that after immunizing B16F10 melanoma cells implanted C57BL/6 mice with combination [endosomolytic and conventional nanocomposite(s)] of nanocomposite(s), a significant increase in the interleukins level i.e. IL-2, IFN-ϒ, IL-12 and IL-6 and OVA Ag(s) specific antibody responses were recorded. Consequently, a strong immunological response was elicited with specific polarization contributing to humoral and activation of CD8⁺ to cellular responses. Finding of histological examination also support the potential of therapeutic outcome. The present approach based on mannose surface functionalization for targeting to antigen presenting cells and pH-dependent prompt endosomal release and escape can be a promising system for efficient cancer immunotherapy.

Nanoparticles: Properties and Applications in Cancer Immunotherapy

BACKGROUND

Tumours are no longer regarded as isolated masses of aberrantly proliferating epithelial cells. Rather, their properties depend on complex interactions between epithelial cancer cells and the surrounding stromal compartment within the tumour microenvironment. In particular, leukocyte infiltration plays a role in controlling tumour development and is now considered one of the hallmarks of cancer. Thus, in the last few years, immunotherapy has become a promising strategy to fight cancer, as its goal is to reprogram or activate antitumour immunity to kill tumour cells, without damaging the normal cells and provide long-lasting results where other therapies fail. However, the immune-related adverse events due to the low specificity in tumour cell targeting, strongly limit immunotherapy efficacy. In this regard, nanomedicine offers a platform for the delivery of different immunotherapeutic agents specifically to the tumour site, thus increasing efficacy and reducing toxicity. Indeed, playing with different material types, several nanoparticles can be formulated with different shape, charge, size and surface chemical modifications making them the most promising platform for biomedical applications.

AIM

In this review, we will summarize the different types of cancer immunotherapy currently in clinical trials or already approved for cancer treatment. Then, we will focus on the most recent promising strategies to deliver immunotherapies directly to the tumour site using nanoparticles.

CONCLUSION

Nanomedicine seems to be a promising approach to improve the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. However, additional investigations are needed to minimize the variables in the production processes in order to make nanoparticles suitable for clinical use.

Protein-based nanoparticles in cancer vaccine development

Peptide and protein-based cancer vaccines usually fail to elicit efficient immune responses against tumors. However, delivery of these peptides and proteins as components within caged protein nanoparticles has shown promising improvements in vaccine efficacy. Advantages of protein nanoparticles over other vaccine platforms include their highly organized structures and symmetry, biodegradability, ability to be specifically functionalized at three different interfaces (inside and outside the protein cage, and between subunits in macromolecular assembly), and ideal size for vaccine delivery. In this review, we discuss different classes of virus-like particles and caged protein nanoparticles that have been used as vehicles to transport and increase the interaction of cancer vaccine components with the immune system. We review the effectiveness of these protein nanoparticles towards inducing and elevating specific immune responses, which are needed to overcome the low immunogenicity of the tumor microenvironment.

Biomaterials for vaccine-based cancer immunotherapy

The development of therapeutic cancer vaccines as a means to generate immune reactivity against tumors has been explored since the early discovery of tumor-specific antigens by Georg Klein in the 1960s. However, challenges including weak immunogenicity, systemic toxicity, and off-target effects of cancer vaccines remain as barriers to their broad clinical translation. Advances in the design and implementation of biomaterials are now enabling enhanced efficacy and reduced toxicity of cancer vaccines by controlling the presentation and release of vaccine components to immune cells and their microenvironment. Here, we discuss the rational design and clinical status of several classes of cancer vaccines (including DNA, mRNA, peptide/protein, and cell-based vaccines) along with novel biomaterial-based delivery technologies that improve their safety and efficacy. Further, strategies for designing new platforms for personalized cancer vaccines are also considered.

Enhancing Protective Efficacy of Poultry Vaccines through Targeted Delivery of Antigens to Antigen-Presenting Cells

Avian viral diseases including avian influenza, Marek's disease and Newcastle disease are detrimental to economies around the world that depend on the poultry trade. A significant zoonotic threat is also posed by avian influenza viruses. Vaccination is an important and widely used method for controlling these poultry diseases. However, the current vaccines do not provide full protection or sterile immunity. Hence, there is a need to develop improved vaccines. The major aim of developing improved vaccines is to induce strong and specific humoral and cellular immunity in vaccinated animals. One strategy used to enhance the immunogenicity of vaccines is the selective delivery of protective antigens to antigen-presenting cells (APCs) including dendritic cells, macrophages and B cells. APCs have a central role in the initiation and maintenance of immune responses through their ability to capture, process and present antigens to T and B cells. Vaccine technology that selectively targets APCs has been achieved by coupling antigens to monoclonal antibodies or ligands that are targeted by APCs. The aim of this review is to discuss existing strategies of selective delivery of antigens to APCs for effective vaccine development in poultry.

A Novel Human Papillomavirus 16 L1 Pentamer-Loaded Hybrid Particles Vaccine System: Influence of Size on Immune Responses

Cervical cancer remains the second-most prevalent female malignancy around the world, leading to a great majority of cancer-related mortality that occurs mainly in developing countries. Developing an effective and low-cost vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, especially in medically underfunded areas, is urgent. Compared with vaccines based on HPV L1 viruslike particles (VLPs) in the market, recombinant HPV L1 pentamer expressed in Escherichia coli represents a promising and potentially cost-effective vaccine for preventing HPV infection. Hybrid particles comprising a polymer core and lipid shell have shown great potential compared to conventional aluminum salts adjuvant and is urgently needed for HPV L1 pentamer vaccines. It is well-reported that particle sizes are crucial in regulating immune responses. Nevertheless, reports on the relationship between the particulate size and the resultant immune response have been in conflict, and there is no answer to how the size of particles regulates specific immune response for HPV L1 pentamer-based candidate vaccines. Here, we fabricated HPV 16 L1 pentamer-loaded poly(d,l-lactide- co-glycolide) (PLGA)/lecithin hybrid particles with uniform sizes (0.3, 1, and 3 μm) and investigated the particle size effects on antigen release, activation of lymphocytes, dendritic cells (DCs) activation and maturation, follicular helper CD4⁺ T (TFH) cells differentiation, and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Compared with the other particle sizes, 1 μm particles induced more powerful antibody protection and yielded more persistent antibody responses, as well as more heightened anamnestic responses upon repeat vaccination. The superior immune responses might be attributed to sustainable antigen release and robust antigen uptake and transport and then further promoted a series of cascade reactions, including enhanced DCs maturation, increased lymphocytes activation, and augmented TFH cells differentiation in draining lymph nodes (DLNs). Here, a powerful and economical platform for HPV vaccine and a comprehensive understanding of particle size effect on immune responses for HPV L1 pentamer-based candidate vaccines are provided.

pH/hypoxia programmable triggered cancer photo-chemotherapy based on a semiconducting polymer dot hybridized mesoporous silica framework

Although photothermal therapy (PTT) has become a compelling strategy for cancer therapy, few studies concern the physiological consequences of PTT ablation. Herein, we discover that PTT-induced hyperthermia can aggravate tumor hypoxia, which may increase the risk of tumor recurrence and reduce PTT efficacy. We thus integrated the pH/hypoxia-triggered Fe(iii)-banoxantrone (AQ4N) prodrug and semiconducting polymer dots (SPs) for programmable triggered cancer photothermal-chemotherapy. A SP-hybridized mesoporous silica framework, decorated by dopamine and polyethylene glycol, named PPMSF, was synthesized by a simple method, and then served as an efficient photo-absorbing agent (PTA) and drug carrier. Fe(iii)-AQ4N and Mn(ii) were then coordinated with PPMSF (abbreviated Mn-APPMSF) via coordination effects. The nanohybrids exhibited tumor micro-environment pH triggered drug release. Under the irradiation of NIR light, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tracked the accumulation of the nanohybrids in tumors which then destroyed tumor cells by local hyperthermia, this can consequently aggravate the tumor hypoxia levels. Intriguingly, the aggravated hypoxia can further enhance the reduction of AQ4N to significantly improve therapeutic efficacy and effectively inhibit tumor growth when compared with traditional PTT. These results indicate the potential of our nanohybrids as a programmable synergistic agent for cancer therapy.