Impact of nanoparticles on immune cells and their potential applications in cancer immunotherapy

Nanoparticles represent a heterogeneous collection of materials, whether natural or synthetic, with dimensions aligning in the nanoscale. Because of their intense manifestation with the immune system, they can be harvested for numerous bio-medical and biotechnological advancements mainly in cancer treatment. This review article aims to scrutinize various types of nanoparticles that interact differently with immune cells like macrophages, dendritic cells, T lymphocytes, and natural killer (NK) cells. It also underscores the importance of knowing how nanoparticles influence immune cell functions, such as the production of cytokines and the presentation of antigens which are crucial for effective cancer immunotherapy. Hence overviews of bio-molecular mechanisms are provided. Nanoparticles can improve antigen presentation, boost T-cell responses, and overcome the immunosuppressive tumor environment. The regulatory mechanisms, signaling pathways, and nanoparticle characteristics are also presented for a comprehensive understanding. We review the nanotechnology platform options and challenges in nanoparticles-based immunotherapy, from an immunotherapy perspective including precise targeting, immune modulation, and potential toxicity, as well as personalized approaches based on individual patient and tumor characteristics. The development of emerging multifunctional nanoparticles and theranostic nanoparticles will provide new solutions for the precision and efficiency of cancer therapies in next-generation practice.