Application of Carbon Nanomaterials to Enhancing Tumor Immunotherapy: Current Advances and Prospects

Abstract

Yun Li,1,2 Zhijie Xu,3 Zijuan Qi,4 Xiaofeng Huang,1,2 Mingyu Li,5 Sijin Liu,1,2 Yuanliang Yan,6 Ming Gao1,2 1State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 2University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China; 4Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, People’s Republic of China; 5Mudanjiang Medical University, Mu Danjiang, Hei Longjiang, People’s Republic of China; 6Department of Pharmacy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Yuanliang Yan, Department of Pharmacy, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, People’s Republic of China, Email [email protected] Ming Gao, State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, People’s Republic of China, Email [email protected]: Recent advances in tumor immunotherapy have highlighted the pivotal role of carbon nanomaterials, such as carbon dots, graphene quantum dots, and carbon nanotubes. This review examines the unique benefits of these materials in cancer treatment, focusing on their mechanisms of action within immunotherapy. These include applications in immunoregulation, recognition, and enhancement. We explore how these nanomaterials when combined with specific biomolecules, can form immunosensors. These sensors are engineered for highly sensitive and specific detection of tumor markers, offering crucial support for early diagnosis and timely therapeutic interventions. This review also addresses significant challenges facing carbon nanomaterials in clinical settings, such as issues related to long-term biocompatibility and the hurdles of clinical translation. These challenges require extensive ongoing research and discussion. This review is of both theoretical and practical importance, aiming to promote using carbon nanomaterials in tumor immunotherapy, potentially transforming clinical outcomes and enhancing patient care.Keywords: carbon nanoparticles, immune cell, tumor immunotherapy, drug delivery, immunosensors

Keywords

• carbon nanoparticles
• immune cell
• tumor immunotherapy
• drug delivery
• immunosensors