Lipid Nanoparticles for mRNA Delivery to Enhance Cancer Immunotherapy

Molecules. 2022 Aug 31;27(17):5607. doi: 10.3390/molecules27175607.

Abstract

Messenger RNA (mRNA) is being developed by researchers as a novel drug for the treatment or prevention of many diseases. However, to enable mRNA to fully exploit its effects in vivo, researchers need to develop safer and more effective mRNA delivery systems that improve mRNA stability and enhance the ability of cells to take up and release mRNA. To date, lipid nanoparticles are promising nanodrug carriers for tumor therapy, which can significantly improve the immunotherapeutic effects of conventional drugs by modulating mRNA delivery, and have attracted widespread interest in the biomedical field. This review focuses on the delivery of mRNA by lipid nanoparticles for cancer treatment. We summarize some common tumor immunotherapy and mRNA delivery strategies, describe the clinical advantages of lipid nanoparticles for mRNA delivery, and provide an outlook on the current challenges and future developments of this technology.

Keywords: cancer immunotherapy; lipid nanoparticles; mRNA delivery.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy
  • Liposomes
  • Nanoparticles* / therapeutic use
  • Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Neoplasms* / therapy
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics

Substances

  • Lipid Nanoparticles
  • Liposomes
  • RNA, Messenger

Grants and funding

This study was supported by National Key Research and Development Program of China (2019YFA0210500) and by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 21977054, 21877102, and 91953107).