Engineering strategies of sequential drug delivery systems for combination tumor immunotherapy.
10.1016/j.apsb.2025.05.039
- Author:
Zhenyu XU
1
;
Siyan LIU
2
;
Yanan LI
3
;
Yanping WU
4
;
Jiasheng TU
1
;
Qian CHEN
1
;
Chunmeng SUN
1
Author Information
1. State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China.
2. Jiangsu Key Laboratory of TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, and Research Center for Traceability and Standardization of TCMs, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China.
3. School of Food Science and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China.
4. School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China.
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Biomaterials;
Cancer-immunity cycle;
Combination therapy;
Local drug delivery;
Sequential release;
Spatiotemporally-tuned delivery;
Systemic drug delivery;
Tumor immunotherapy
- From:
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B
2025;15(8):3951-3977
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Over the past few decades, tumor immunotherapy has revolutionized the landscape of cancer clinical treatment. There is a flourishing development of combination strategies to improve the anti-tumor efficacy of mono-immunotherapy. However, instead of a straightforward combination of multiple therapeutics, it is more preferable to pursue a synergistic effect by designing rational combinations as well as administration strategies, which are based on a comprehensive understanding of the physiological and pathological features. In this case, the timing and spatial distribution of the combination drugs become essential factors in achieving improved therapeutic outcomes. Therefore, the concept of Sequential Drug Delivery System (SDDS) is proposed to define the spatiotemporally programmed drug delivery/release through triggers of internal conditions and/or external interventions, thus complying with the dynamic disease evolution and the human immunity. This review summarizes the recent advancements in biomaterial-based SDDSs used for spatiotemporally-tuned combination tumor immunotherapy. Furthermore, the rationales behind various engineering strategies are discussed. Finally, an overview of potential synergistic mechanisms as well as their prospects for combination immunotherapy is presented.
