Estratégias nanobiotecnológicas para administração oral de antígenos tumorais: possibilidades e desafios na imunoterapia antitumoral

Abstract

Introduction: In recent years, anti-tumor immunotherapy has emerged as one of the most promising approaches in cancer treatment, although it still faces challenges related to tumor resistance and the limitations of conventional administration routes. In this context, nanobiotechnological strategies applied to immunotherapy have gained increasing interest, particularly regarding the possibility of oral administration of antigens. Objective: To analyze the scientific and technological advances associated with the use of nanobiotechnological strategies for the development of oral immunotherapies in the oncological context. Methodology: This work consists of a descriptive, qualitative literature review based on articles published between 2015 and 2025 in the PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. The search was conducted using descriptors such as nanobiotechnology, oral administration, tumor antigens, and cancer immunotherapy, combined using the Boolean operator AND. Peer-reviewed studies addressing nanobiotechnological strategies applied to the oral administration of tumor antigens were included, while those that did not directly address this topic were excluded. Data analysis was conducted in a descriptive and interpretive Results: The reviewed literature demonstrated progress in the development of nanostructured systems, such as nanoparticles, liposomes, microspheres, and extracellular vesicles, capable of protecting antigens from enzymatic degradation, modulating the tumor microenvironment, and inducing robust immune responses. Furthermore, the integration of nanotechnology, gut microbiota, and the activation of innate pathways, such as cGAS–STING, has shown promise in overcoming tumor immunosuppression and enhancing therapeutic efficacy. Advances have also been observed in mRNA vaccines, natural peptides, and bacterial delivery systems as innovative platforms for oral immunotherapy. Final considerations: In summary, the findings indicate that the convergence of nanotechnology, immunological biology, and biomaterial engineering is redefining the field of tumor immunotherapy, highlighting the oral route as a viable, safe, and highly promising alternative for the development of more accessible, effective, and personalized cancer therapies.