Nanoparticles engineering strategies for lymph-node targeted cancer immunotherapy

Recent advancements in understanding the immune system's role in cancer have shifted focus towards immunomodulatory drugs targeting specific immune cells. Lymph nodes (LNs), as key sites for immune response initiation, present a promising target for cancer immunotherapy. This review explores the use of nanotechnology to achieve lymph node-targeted delivery of immunotherapeutics. Various biomaterial-based delivery systems, including polymeric nanoparticles, inorganic nanoparticles, lipid-based, peptide/RNA-based, and virus-based systems have discussed to enhance the effectiveness and safety profile of cancer immunotherapy. The review also delves into the lymphatic architecture, barriers for nanoparticle delivery, and strategies for targeting lymph nodes to improve antigen cross-presentation and adaptive immune responses.