About the Special Issue

Tumor immunotherapy is a rapidly developing and promising field, which aims to reactivate anti-tumor immune cells and overcome the immune escape mechanism of tumors. Currently, tumor immunotherapies based on immune checkpoint inhibitors, cytokines, cancer vaccines, engineered immune cells (such as T cells, macrophages, NK cells), and bacteria have achieved promising results in the treatment of some types of cancer. However, due to factors such as poor immunogenicity, off-target effects, low tumor infiltration, insufficient persistence and complex immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, it still faces great challenges for the treatment of solid tumors. In recent years, the rapid development of functional biomaterials has not only improved the therapeutic potential of tumor immunotherapy, such as improving targeting, synergistic activation of immune cells, expanding the delivery mode of immune therapeutic agents, but also built a bridge for its combination with other cancer therapies such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, phototherapy, hyperthermia and ferroptosis.

In this special issue of "Functional Biomaterials and Cancer Immunotherapy", we look forward to scholars from different disciplines, including materials science, biological and genetic engineering, pharmacy, nanoscience and others, to have a lively discussion on the topic of "tumor immunotherapy" to better and more fully understand the current challenges of tumor immunotherapy and propose innovative solutions. We welcome reviews and research articles on functional biomaterials for immunotherapeutic agent delivery, CAR-immune cells modification, immune synergism, combination therapy and so on. This special issue aims to explore new approaches for future research and clinical translation of tumor immunotherapy to improve its effectiveness and applicability to a wider range of cancer types.

Keywords: biomaterials, tumor immunotherapy, multifunctionality, drug delivery, synergistic effect, combination therapy

Call for Papers