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Review

Nanoceria as Next-Generation Immunotherapeutics: Applications in Chronic Inflammation, Cancer, and Tissue Repair

by
Kay Hadrick
,
Panangattukara Prabhakaran Praveen Kumar
*,† and
Taeho Kim
*
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
These authors contributed equally to this work.
J. Nanotheranostics 2025, 6(4), 28; https://doi.org/10.3390/jnt6040028 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 1 July 2025 / Revised: 13 August 2025 / Accepted: 30 September 2025 / Published: 4 October 2025

Abstract

The immune system is crucial in protecting against disease, but it can also contribute to chronic illnesses when it malfunctions, with different conditions involving either inflammation or immune suppression. Current treatments often fall short due to limited effectiveness and side effects. Nanomedicine, particularly cerium oxide nanoparticles (nanoceria), offers promising potential due to its unique therapeutic properties and role in modulating macrophages. Nanoceria (<5 nm) possess the catalytic ability to mimic natural enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase, enabling effective scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which play a central role in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammation and cancer. This review comprehensively summarizes the current advances in the application of nanoceria for inflammatory and anti-inflammatory therapy, including their modulatory effects on immune cell activation, cytokine production, and resolution of inflammatory responses. We discuss the mechanisms underlying their immunomodulatory actions in various disease contexts, such as rheumatoid arthritis, women’s health conditions (e.g., endometriosis), wound healing, and cancer. Additionally, the review highlights biocompatibility, therapeutic efficacy, adaptability in imaging (theranostics), and challenges in translating nanoceria-based therapies into clinical practice. The multifunctionality of nanoceria positions them as innovative candidates for next-generation immunotherapy aimed at efficiently controlling inflammation and promoting tissue repair.
Keywords: nanoceria; reactive oxygen species; immune response; therapy; chronic inflammation; wound healing nanoceria; reactive oxygen species; immune response; therapy; chronic inflammation; wound healing
Graphical Abstract

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MDPI and ACS Style

Hadrick, K.; Kumar, P.P.P.; Kim, T. Nanoceria as Next-Generation Immunotherapeutics: Applications in Chronic Inflammation, Cancer, and Tissue Repair. J. Nanotheranostics 2025, 6, 28. https://doi.org/10.3390/jnt6040028

AMA Style

Hadrick K, Kumar PPP, Kim T. Nanoceria as Next-Generation Immunotherapeutics: Applications in Chronic Inflammation, Cancer, and Tissue Repair. Journal of Nanotheranostics. 2025; 6(4):28. https://doi.org/10.3390/jnt6040028

Chicago/Turabian Style

Hadrick, Kay, Panangattukara Prabhakaran Praveen Kumar, and Taeho Kim. 2025. "Nanoceria as Next-Generation Immunotherapeutics: Applications in Chronic Inflammation, Cancer, and Tissue Repair" Journal of Nanotheranostics 6, no. 4: 28. https://doi.org/10.3390/jnt6040028

APA Style

Hadrick, K., Kumar, P. P. P., & Kim, T. (2025). Nanoceria as Next-Generation Immunotherapeutics: Applications in Chronic Inflammation, Cancer, and Tissue Repair. Journal of Nanotheranostics, 6(4), 28. https://doi.org/10.3390/jnt6040028

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