Rational Design of Hyaluronic Acid-Based Copolymer-Mixed Micelle in Combination PD-L1 Immune Checkpoint Blockade for Enhanced Chemo-Immunotherapy of Melanoma

Design Strategies for Hyaluronic Acid-based Drug Delivery Systems in Cancer Immunotherapy

Despite its robust therapeutic potential, cancer immunotherapy has provided little progress towards improved survival rates for patients bearing immunologically refractory tumors. The implementation of advanced drug delivery systems represents a powerful means of improving cancer immunotherapy by relieving immunosuppression and promoting immune response; however, the overall impact of these systems on immunotherapy currently remains modest. Hyaluronic acid represents a widely used polymer in drug delivery; meanwhile, recent studies linking hyaluronic acid to the immune system make this polymer an attractive component in the design of next-generation cancer immunotherapies. Herein, we review our current understanding of the immunological properties of hyaluronic acid and discuss them in the context of bioactive functions and immune-related interactions with receptors, immune, and cancer cells. We analyze the potential of hyaluronic acid as a component in advanced drug delivery systems, highlighting strategies for the design of more effective vaccines and cancer chemo-immunotherapies. Finally, we discuss critical considerations to facilitate design and clinical translation to overcome existing challenges and maximize therapeutic potential.

A review of carbohydrate polymer-synthesized nanoparticles in cancer immunotherapy: Past, present and future perspectives

Cancer continues to be a leading factor in mortality and tackling it has been made difficult by the development of immune escape. Furthermore, alternative treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation have been unsuccessful in eradicating cancer. Despite being effective, they have not succeeded in providing a full cancer treatment and exhibit several negative effects. The field of immunotherapy has been improved by utilizing cancer vaccines, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), and adoptive cell transfer to enhance immune responses to tumors. Nevertheless, cancer cells need to adapt and become immune to immune reactions, leading to the need for innovative treatment methods. Carbohydrate polymers and their nanoparticles have been beneficial in improving cancer immunotherapy by being customizable to specifically target the immune system. These nanoparticles can change the tumor microenvironment and accelerate immunotherapy by affecting immune cells such as T cells and dendritic cells. Incorporating both chemotherapy and phototherapy into nanoparticles can improve immunotherapy. Furthermore, besides controlling immune reactions, carbohydrate polymer nanoparticles can also be used for theranostic purposes, where they are used to image tumor cells and activate the immune system to eradicate cancer.

A novel risk model based on anoikis: Predicting prognosis and immune infiltration in cutaneous melanoma

Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is a highly aggressive malignancy with a dimal prognosis and limited treatment options. Anoikis is believed to involve in the regeneration, migration, and metastasis of tumor. The exact role of anoikis-related genes (ARGs) in the development and progression of cutaneous melanoma, however, remains elusive. Four ARGs (SNAI2, TFDP1, IKBKG, and MCL1) with significant differential expression were selected through Cox regression and LASSO analyses. Data for internal and external cohorts validated the accuracy and clinical utility of the prognostic risk model based on ARGs. The Kaplan-Meier curve indicated a much better overall survival rate of low-risk patients. Notably, we also found that the action of ARGs in the CM was mediated by immune-related signaling pathways. Consensus clustering and TIME landscape analysis also indicated that the low-risk score patients have excellent immune status. Moreover, the results of immunotherapy response and drug sensitivity also confirmed the potential implications of informing individualized immune therapeutic strategies for CM. Collectively, the predictive risk model constructed based on ARGs provides an excellent and accurate prediction tool for CM patients. This present research provides a rationale for the joint application of targeted therapy and immunotherapy in CM treatment. The approach could have great therapeutic value and make a contribution to personalized medicine therapy.

Hyaluronic Acid within Self-Assembling Nanoparticles: Endless Possibilities for Targeted Cancer Therapy

Self-assembling nanoparticles (SANPs) based on hyaluronic acid (HA) represent unique tools in cancer therapy because they combine the HA targeting activity towards cancer cells with the advantageous features of the self-assembling nanosystems, i.e., chemical versatility and ease of preparation and scalability. This review describes the key outcomes arising from the combination of HA and SANPs, focusing on nanomaterials where HA and/or HA-derivatives are inserted within the self-assembling nanostructure. We elucidate the different HA derivatization strategies proposed for this scope, as well as the preparation methods used for the fabrication of the delivery device. After showing the biological results in the employed in vivo and in vitro models, we discussed the pros and cons of each nanosystem, opening a discussion on which approach represents the most promising strategy for further investigation and effective therapeutic protocol development.