Theme III: 2D Sheets for Cancer Immunotherapy

In this theme, the focus of 2D-Health is cancer immunotherapy, i.e., the mobilisation of the body’s own immune defences against a malignancy. The most common approach in this field is the programming of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) against tumour cells. In this perspective, a unique feature offered by graphene oxide is its preferential accumulation in spleen, a lymphoid organ central for the programming of immune cells. Graphene oxide is an ideal multifunctional nanocarrier: easy diffusion despite large lateral dimensions, large available surface and controlled functionalisation with a plurality of biochemical functions. The molecular engineering of graphene oxide will deliver a family of structures that will be used for the delivery of immuno-modulating molecules to splenic antigen-presenting cells (APCs) with the goal being induction of effective tumour-targeting CTLs. This strategy is advantageous in comparison to more common vaccination techniques as it will circumvent the highly variable step of APC activation in peripheral sites before migrating to lymphoid organs. To provide contingency, this theme will embed a more traditional route of administration via the dermis.