Nanotechnology-based in situ cancer vaccines: Mechanisms, design, and recent advances

In recent years, in situ cancer vaccines, as an emerging cancer immunotherapy strategy, have garnered considerable attention. This review comprehensively discusses the research progress of nanotechnology in the development of in situ cancer vaccines and their potential applications in cancer treatment, focusing on three key factors: antigenicity, adjuvanticity, and modulation of the tumor immune microenvironment. The concept and mechanisms of immunogenic cell death (ICD) are introduced initially. Subsequently, various tumor treatment methods inducing ICD, along with the utilization of different immune adjuvants, nanomaterials, and other functional components for the design of in situ cancer vaccines, are detailed. Additionally, the review explores how nanomaterials regulate the tumor immune microenvironment to optimize the effectiveness of in situ cancer vaccines. Finally, the advantages and challenges of nanotechnology in in situ cancer vaccines, as well as prospects for clinical translation and future developments, are summarized. This comprehensive review serves as an important reference for researchers to gain a deeper understanding of the application of nanotechnology in in situ cancer vaccines.