Advances in Lipid Nanoparticles and mRNA-Based Immunotherapies for Cancer Treatment

Cancer immunotherapy has revolutionized oncology by leveraging the immune system to recognize and eliminate malignant cells. Current approaches include immune checkpoint inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, cytokine therapy, cancer vaccines, and adoptive T-cell therapies. While immune checkpoint inhibitors like anti-PD-L1 and anti-CTLA-4 have significantly improved outcomes in various cancers, limitations in efficacy—especially for solid tumors—and immune-related adverse effects remain major challenges. Lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-based drug delivery systems have emerged as promising platforms for enhancing the efficacy of cancer immunotherapies. These systems target small molecules, proteins, and nucleic acids, reducing systemic toxicity and improving specificity. Notably, mRNA-LNP formulations have shown success in cancer immunotherapy by facilitating antigen expression for tumor-specific immune activation. Despite the success reflected in ongoing clinical trials of mRNA vaccines, critical gaps remain in optimizing LNP formulations, improving mRNA stability, and overcoming immune suppression within the tumor microenvironment.

This Research Topic aims to explore breakthroughs in LNP-based immunotherapy, focusing on cutting-edge mRNA-LNP designs, improved CAR-T cell activation, and innovative strategies for modulating the tumor microenvironment for enhanced therapeutic responses. A further emphasis will be on discovering new tumor-specific and tissue-specific antigens for mRNA-based cancer vaccines. By fostering interdisciplinary research, the topic seeks to deepen our understanding of how LNP formulations can enhance the precision and efficacy of cancer immunotherapies. Contributions addressing novel drug delivery mechanisms, immune system modulation, and strategies to reduce toxicity in solid tumor treatments are highly encouraged.

To gather further insights in the advancement of cancer immunotherapies using LNP platforms, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

Advances in LNP technology for cancer immunotherapy
mRNA-based cancer vaccines: current clinical trials and future directions
Enhancing CAR-T cell therapy through mRNA-LNP formulations
Strategies for modulating the tumor microenvironment using LNP-based immunotherapies
Identification of novel tumor-specific and tissue-specific antigens for mRNA-based therapies
Bioinformatics and machine learning approaches for optimizing LNP formulations and predicting immune responses

We encourage the submission of original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that explore innovative methodologies, clinical applications, and translational research aimed at improving cancer immunotherapy outcomes. By bringing together researchers across pharmacology, immunology, and nanomedicine, this Research Topic seeks to pave the way for next-generation cancer treatments that are both effective and personalized.

Join us in exploring the exciting frontier of LNP and mRNA-based cancer immunotherapy!

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Voltage-gated sodium channels (NaV), Excitable tissue disorders, Cancer progression, Therapeutic targets, Precision medicine

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.