Advances and projects of immunomodulatory biomaterials used for immunotherapy

Abstract Immunotherapy is employed to manage systemic hyperactivation or hypoactivation for the treatment of various diseases. Biomaterial-based immunotherapy systems have the potential to enhance therapeutic outcomes through mechanisms such as targeted drug delivery and immuno-engineering, among others. Nevertheless, the immunomodulatory properties of the biomaterials themselves should not be overlooked. In this review, we present an overview of biomaterials with immunomodulatory capabilities that have been identified in recent years, along with their applications in disease management. These biomaterials are capable of addressing inflammation, tumours, or autoimmune disorders by modulating immune cell activity, demonstrating enzyme-like functions, neutralizing cytokines, and more. Additionally, we discuss the future prospects and challenges associated with the biomaterial-based modulation of immunotherapy.