Targeting the Immune System with Nanoparticles: A Comprehensive Review on Immunomodulation.

INTRODUCTION: The immune system plays a significant role in combating pathogens, maintaining homeostasis, and protecting the overall well-being of the body. Modulating the immune system to enhance or suppress the immune response is a remarkable approach against several diseases. The objective of this article is to comprehensively review the role of nanoparticles (NPs) in modulating the immune response. METHODS: This review discusses and analyzes current literature on how NPs can alter the immune response, detailing the different types of nanomaterials used, their specific mechanisms of action, and their interactions with immune cells. DISCUSSION: NPs are significantly impacting the field of immunomodulation through targeted drug delivery, effectively solving major pharmacological challenges like systemic side effects and low bioavailability. These novel therapeutic agents provide improved efficacy compared to traditional methods. Additionally, the review highlights the significant potential and ongoing applications of NPs in specialized areas, specifically in cancer immunotherapy and advanced vaccine development. CONCLUSION: Significant advancements in NP-based immunomodulation offer effective alternatives to conventional therapies. Challenges, including nanotoxicity, manufacturing scalability, and clinical translation, must be addressed, with AI-assisted design and personalized nanomedicine identified as significant future directions.