The potential of nanoparticle vaccines as a treatment for cancer

A complex and multifaceted relationship exists between cancer and the immune system. Advances in our understanding of this relationship have resulted in significant clinical attention in the possibilities of cancer immunotherapy. Harnessing the immune system's potent and selective destructive capability is a major focus of attempts to treat cancer. Despite significant progress in the field, cancer therapy still remains significantly deficient, with cancer being one of the largest contributors to morbidity and mortality in the developed world. It is evident that the design of new treatment regimes is required to exploit cancer immunotherapy. Herein we review the potential for nanotechnology to overcome the challenges that have limited the more widespread implementation of immunotherapy to cancer treatment.