Immunology Meets Bioengineering: Improving the Effectiveness of Glioblastoma Immunotherapy

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the main malignant brain tumor in adults. It has a poor survival rate and a short disease-free life in spite of all available treatments. The science of cancer immunotherapy is constantly adapting to address the particular needs and problems of a wide range of cancers, including GBM. As of yet, most immunotherapeutic approaches have been unsuccessful, and conventional treatments have been of little effect. Genetically engineered oncolytic viruses (OV) with immunomodulatory transgene expression are now a research focus in the treatment of GBM. There are various challenges that must be addressed in order for immunotherapies to be effective, including physical limitations to medication delivery (e.g., BBB). The present research suggests that nanomedicine and immunotherapy may be a step toward personalized medicine for GBM. ABSTRACT: Glioblastoma (GBM) therapy has seen little change over the past two decades. Surgical excision followed by radiation and chemotherapy is the current gold standard treatment. Immunotherapy techniques have recently transformed many cancer treatments, and GBM is now at the forefront of immunotherapy research. GBM immunotherapy prospects are reviewed here, with an emphasis on immune checkpoint inhibitors and oncolytic viruses. Various forms of nanomaterials to enhance immunotherapy effectiveness are also discussed. For GBM treatment and immunotherapy, we outline the specific properties of nanomaterials. In addition, we provide a short overview of several 3D (bio)printing techniques and their applications in stimulating the GBM microenvironment. Lastly, the susceptibility of GBM cancer cells to the various immunotherapy methods will be addressed.