Nanotechnology has provided an opportunity for unparalleled development of the treatment of various severe diseases. The unique properties of nanoparticles offer a promising strategy for enhancing antitumor immunity by enhancing immunogenicity and presentation of tumor autoantigens for cancer immunotherapy. Polymeric, liposomal, carbon or silica-based nanoparticles are among those with major immunomodulatory roles in various cancer treatments. Cancer vaccines, in particular digestive cancer vaccines, have been researched and developed on nanotechnological platforms. Due to their safety, controlled release, targeting of dendritic cells (DCs) and improved antigen uptake, as well as enhanced immunogenicity, nanoparticles have been used as carriers, as adjuvants for increased effect at the tumor level, for their immunomodulating effect, or for targeting the tumor microenvironment, thereby increasing tumor immunogenicity and reducing tumor inflammatory response. This review looks at digestive cancer vaccines developed on nanoparticle platforms and the impact nanoparticles have on the effects of these vaccines.

Nanotechnology has provided an opportunity for unparalleled development of the treatment of various severe diseases. The unique properties of nanoparticles offer a promising strategy in enhancing antitumor immunity by enhancing immunogenicity and presentation of tumor autoantigens for cancer immunotherapy. Polymeric, liposomal, carbon or silica-based nanoparticles are among those with major immunomodulatory roles in various cancer treatments. Cancer vaccines, in particular digestive cancer vaccines have been researched and developed on nanotechnological platforms. Due to their safety, controlled release, targeting of dendritic cells(DCs) and improved antigen uptake, as well as enhanced immunogenicity, nanoparticles have been used as carriers, as adjuvants for increased effect at the tumor level, for their immunomodulating effect, or for targeting tumor microenvironment, increasing tumor immunogenicity and reducing tumor inflamatory response. This review looks at digestive cancer vaccines developed on nanoparticle platforms and the impact nanoparticles have on the effects of these vaccines.

Background and aim. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) offer promising potential as nanocarriers in vaccine development due to their biocompatibility, tunable surface properties and capacity to enhance antigen presentation. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro cytocompatibility, cellular uptake and antigen processing of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)-functionalized AuNPs as a nanovaccine candidate. Materials and Methods. AuNPs were synthesized by citrate reduction and subsequently functionalized with CEA through physical adsorption. Nanoparticle size, morphology, and surface charge were characterized using UV–Vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Cytocompatibility was assessed via MTT assay on RAW 264.7 murine macrophages. Cellular uptake and antigen processing were evaluated using hyperspectral dark-field microscopy and fluorescence microscopy with proteasomal pathway markers. Results. The synthesized AuNPs displayed a uniform spherical morphology with a mean hydrodynamic diameter of ~50 nm and a stable zeta potential. CEA conjugation slightly altered the surface charge and spectral profile. MTT assays confirmed good cytocompatibility across tested concentrations. Hyperspectral and confocal microscopy revealed the efficient uptake of CEA-AuNPs by RAW 264.7 cells and colocalization with lysosomal compartments, suggesting successful antigen processing. Conclusions. The in vitro data support the safety and biological interaction of CEA-functionalized AuNPs with macrophages. These findings highlight their potential as a nanovaccine delivery platform and warrant further in vivo evaluation to assess immunogenicity and protective efficacy.

Background and aim. The efficacy of cancer vaccines depends on the development of safe and effective delivery systems that can improve antigen stability, facilitate targeted uptake by immune cells, and promote efficient intracellular processing. Gold nanopar-ticles offer an attractive platform due to their biocompatibility, stability, and modifiable surfaces. Functionalizing gold nanoparticles with tumor-associated antigens such as car-cinoembryonic antigen (CEA) peptides may enhance antigen presentation and stimulate immune activation. This study aimed to evaluate the cytocompatibility, cellular inter-nalization, and antigen-processing capabilities of CEA-functionalized gold nanoparticles (CEA-AuNPs) as a potential nanovaccine candidate in vitro. Materials and Methods. CEA peptides were conjugated to gold nanoparticles and characterized using UV-VIS spec-troscopy and dynamic light scattering to confirm functionalization and assess particle size distribution. In vitro assays were performed on macrophage cell cultures to evaluate cytotoxicity (via viability and caspase-3 expression), nanoparticle uptake (by reflectance microscopy), and antigen processing (via fluorescence intensity analysis). Results. Spectral analysis confirmed successful functionalization, with a broadened absorbance plateau between 510–700 nm and a size increase from 20 nm (bare AuNPs) to ~80 nm (CEA-AuNPs). Viability assays demonstrated cytologyc viability above 85% at all tested concentrations. Caspase-3 activity, suggested controlled apoptotic signaling in response to the nanoconstruct. Reflective imaging and fluorescence microscopy confirmed efficient cellular uptake, localized predominantly in the perinuclear region, and enhanced pro-teasomal activity in macrophages treated with the CCEA-AuNPs, indicating effective antigen processing. Discussion. Functionalization of gold nanoparticles with a CEA peptide resulted in stable, biocompatible nanostructures capable of efficient uptake by antigen-presenting cells. Enhanced intracellular processing, evidenced by increased ubiquitin-proteasome pathway activity, highlights the immunogenic potential of the construct. Low cytotoxicity supports its suitability for further preclinical development. Conclusion CEA-functionalized gold nanoparticles exhibit high cytocompatibility, tar-geted cellular uptake, and promote intracellular antigen processing—highlighting their promise as a nanovaccine platform in cancer immunotherapy. These results support further preclinical evaluation toward translational application.

Background and Aim: Colorectal cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, with growing interest in nanotechnology-driven immunotherapeutics. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) offer a promising platform due to their biocompatibility, functional versatility, and immunomodulatory potential. Carcinoembryonic antigens (CEAs), highly expressed in colorectal tumors, provide an ideal target for antigen-specific immune activation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the immunogenicity, biodistribution, and therapeutic efficacy of a CEA-functionalized gold nanoparticle (CEA-AuNP) construct in a mouse model of colorectal cancer following oral administration via a customized capsular delivery system. Methods: A 30-day oral administration study was performed in BALB/c mice (n = 30), who received increasing doses of CEA-AuNPs (5–50 mg/kg/day). Histological, hyperspectral imaging, and ELISA-based cytokine analyses were conducted to assess organ integrity, nanoparticle accumulation, and immune modulation. Results: CEA-AuNPs demonstrated a favorable safety profile and dose-dependent accumulation in reticuloendothelial tissues, particularly the spleen and liver. Cytokine profiling revealed enhanced IL-10 responses in the spleen, indicating anti-inflammatory immune modulation, with localized pro-inflammatory signals observed in hepatic tissue at higher doses. No signs of systemic toxicity or significant off-target effects were detected. Conclusions: The oral administration of CEA-AuNPs in healthy mice induced tissue-specific immune responses and exhibited a dose-dependent biodistribution pattern. These results support the further development of CEA-AuNPs as a nanovaccine platform for colorectal cancer immunoprophylaxis.

Background. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA/CEACAM5) is a well-established tumor-associated antigen overexpressed in epithelial malignancies, including colorectal cancer (CRC). While its diagnostic and therapeutic relevance is recognized, its immunological context and potential as a nanovaccine target remain underexplored. Aim. This study aims to enable the rational design and refinement of CEA-based nanovaccines by integrating transcriptomic and spatial data to identify immunologically relevant co-expressed biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets. Methods. We conducted an integrative bioinformatics analysis using transcriptomic data from TCGA-COAD, GEO, and spatial datasets (GSE207843, GSE226997), complemented by differential gene expression analysis (GSE245218). CEACAM5 expression was correlated with cytokine profiles (IL10, IFNG, TNF, IL1B, IL12A, IL4), immune cell infiltration (via xCell), and co-expression networks. Genes with Spearman ρ > 0.75 were prioritized as vaccine candidates and evaluated through oncofetal expression and literature curation. Results. CEACAM5 expression was inversely correlated with IFNG, IL10, TNF, and IL1B, suggesting a potential immunosuppressive phenotype. xCell analysis revealed negative trends between CEACAM5 and effector immune populations including CD8⁺ T cells and NK cells. Spatial transcriptomics confirmed CEACAM5 compartmentalization in tumor epithelium with minimal cytokine overlap. Co-expression analysis identified EPCAM and ATP10B as high-confidence candidates. Embryonic vs. adult differential analysis (GSE245218) confirmed their oncofetal expression patterns. Gene ontology analysis revealed downregulation of antibacterial humoral immune pathways. Conclusion. CEACAM5 defines a distinct immune-silent tumor phenotype and co-localizes with other vaccine-relevant genes such as EPCAM. This study provides a comprehensive immunogenomic rationale for CEACAM5-directed nanovaccine development and proposes EPCAM and ATP10B as co-targets based on tumor-specific and developmental expression profiles.