Abstract
Purpose of Review
In this review, we discuss modern cytokine delivery systems in oncologic care, focusing on modalities being developed in the clinical trials or currently in use. These include pegylation, immune-cytokine drug conjugates, cytokine-expressing plasmid nanoparticles, nonviral cytokine nanoparticles, viral systems, and AcTakines.
Recent Findings
Cytokine therapy has the potential to contribute to cancer treatment options by modulating the immune system towards an improved antitumor response and has shown promise both independently and in combination with other immunotherapy agents. Despite promising preliminary studies, systemic toxicities and challenges with administration have limited the impact of unmodified cytokine therapy. In the last decade, novel delivery systems have been developed to address these challenges and facilitate cytokine-based oncologic treatments.
Summary
Novel delivery systems provide potential solutions to decrease dose-limiting side effects, facilitate administration, and increase the therapeutic activity of cytokine treatments in oncology care. The expanding clinical and translational research in these systems provides an opportunity to augment the armamentarium of immune oncology and may represent the next frontier of cytokine-based immuno-oncology.
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CAL was supported in part by the UG1 CA23330 and P50 CA098252.
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Jhalak Dholakia declares that she has no conflict of interest. Alexander C. Cohen declares that he has no conflict of interest. Charles A. Leath III declares that he has no conflict of interest. Elizabeth T. Evans declares that she has no conflict of interest. Ronald D. Alvarez declares that he has no conflict of interest. Premal H. Thaker has received research funding (paid to her institution) from Merck and GlaxoSmithKline; has received compensation for service as a consultant from Celsion; has received speaker’s honoraria from GlaxoSmithKline and AstraZeneca; has participated on Data Safety Monitoring or advisory boards for Iovance Biotherapeutics, Novocure, Celsion, Agenus, Eisai, GlaxoSmithKline, and Seagen; and owns stock/stock options in Celsion.
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Dholakia, J., Cohen, A.C., Leath, C.A. et al. Development of Delivery Systems for Local Administration of Cytokines/Cytokine Gene-Directed Therapeutics: Modern Oncologic Implications. Curr Oncol Rep 24, 389–397 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-022-01221-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-022-01221-3