Immunotherapy applications of carbon nanotubes: from design to safe applications

•We summarize general functionalization strategies for the design of CNTs as an immunotherapeutic platform.•We examine the interaction of functionalized CNTs with different cells of the immune system.•Significant progress has been made in understanding the immunological implications of CNTs.•Potential applications of CNTs in immunotherapy need to factor in recent progress in immunotoxicology research.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have the potential to overcome significant challenges related to vaccine development and immunotherapy. Central to these applications is an improved understanding of CNT interactions with the immune system. Unique properties such as high aspect ratio, flexible surface chemistry, and control over structure and morphology may allow for enhanced target specificity and transport of antigens across cell membranes. Although recent work has demonstrated the potential of CNTs to amplify the immune response as adjuvants, other results have also linked their proinflammatory properties to harmful health effects. Here, we review the recent advances of CNT-based immunological research, focusing on current understandings of therapeutic efficacy and mechanisms of immunotoxicology.