Nanomedicine-Mediated Immunotherapy for Cancer Treatment

Since the dawn of the 21st century, the convergence of interdisciplinary fields─including life sciences, nanotechnology, and information technology─propels pharmaceuticals and healthcare into a period of rapid transformation. This paradigm shift catalyzes the emergence of innovative medical technologies. Immuno-oncology plays a pivotal role in cancer therapeutics. However, most patients derive limited benefits from currently available immunotherapies, while many experience immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Consequently, significant research efforts focus on developing nanomedicines that attenuate immunosuppression within the tumor microenvironment (TME) or enhance immune-cell-mediated tumor recognition and cytotoxicity. This review outlines nanomedicine-mediated immunotherapeutic strategies against tumors. Such novel approaches function as monotherapies or synergize with conventional oncology treatments to achieve superior therapeutic outcomes. Nanomedicine offers a transformative framework for precision cancer therapy through rational design principles that integrate tumor-specific characteristics and in vivo kinetics of drug transport. These advances hold promise for augmenting existing treatments and expanding therapeutic options for cancer patients. Finally, we critically analyze current challenges and depict the future directions in nanomedicine-driven immunotherapy, aiming to harness the immune system effectively against malignancies and ultimately expand the oncologist's armamentarium.