Figure 3. Biomaterials-based cancer immunotherapies.
a) Biomaterial-based cancer vaccines. In one approach (left panel), a scaffold releases recruiting factors (e.g. GM-CSF) from the vaccine into surrounding tissue to direct host DCs to migrate into the device, where the DCs are exposed to tumor antigens and “danger signals” (e.g. CpG) that activate the DCs, and enable their homing to lymph nodes to elicit a cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) anti-tumor response. Alternatively (right panel), nanoparticles are used to target DCs in lymph nodes, and deliver antigens and “danger signals” to again generate a CTL response. b) Biomaterial-based T cell manipulation. Either scaffolds (left panel), or nano- or micro-particles (right panel) are used to provide a stimulatory microenvironment to T cells for ACT in order to expand T cells and maintain their activity against tumors.