Mesoporous Silica: A Promising Adjuvant for Cancer Vaccines

Cancer immunotherapy has revolutionized oncology by utilizing the body's immune system to fight cancer. Unlike traditional treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, immunotherapy enhances the body's immune capacity, enabling it to target and eliminate cancer cells accurately. However, there are still challenges associated with immunotherapy, including limited efficacy, drug resistance, potential side effects, and difficulties in patient selection. Mesoporous silica (MS) particles have been investigated for enhancing cancer immunotherapy due to their advantageous structural features, excellent drug-delivery properties, and intrinsic immune-activation modulation capabilities. This review mainly focuses on the latest research progress of MS particle-based cancer vaccine adjuvants. First, we will give an overview of the progress in cancer immunotherapy. Second, we will introduce the applications of inorganic materials in cancer vaccines. Third, we will focus on the latest progress in the application of MS particles in cancer vaccine adjuvants. Finally, we conclude this review by outlining the challenges and future perspectives of MS particle-based cancer vaccine adjuvants.