The treatment of digestive system tumors presents challenges, particularly in immunotherapy, owing to the advanced immune tolerance of the digestive system. Nanomaterials have emerged as a promising approach for addressing these challenges. They provide targeted drug delivery, enhanced permeability, high bioavailability, and low toxicity. Additionally, nanomaterials target immunosuppressive cells and reshape the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). Among the various cells in the TIME, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are the most abundant and play a crucial role in tumor progression. Therefore, investigating the modulation of TAMs by nanomaterials for the treatment of digestive system tumors is of great significance. Here, we present a comprehensive review of the utilization of nanomaterials to modulate TAMs for the treatment of gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, and pancreatic cancer. We also investigated the underlying mechanisms by which nanomaterials modulate TAMs to treat tumors in the digestive system. Furthermore, this review summarizes the role of macrophage-derived nanomaterials in the treatment of digestive system tumors. Overall, this research offers valuable insights into the development of nanomaterials tailored for the treatment of digestive system tumors.
Keywords: Digestive system tumors; Nanomaterials; Therapy; Tumor immune microenvironment; Tumor-associated macrophages.
© 2024 The Authors.