Nanoparticle surfaces can be engineered for targeted delivery of cancer therapies. In this Review, Gomerdinger, Nabar and Hammond outline the role of surface chemistry at all levels of nanoparticle trafficking, from administration route, to tissue accumulation, cellular targeting and ultimately subcellular localization. They emphasize the utility of non-covalent surface modifications for improving stealth and targeting abilities of nanoparticles for cancer.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) has a central role in mounting effective and durable antitumour immunity. In this Review, Hwang et al. outline how tumour-induced ER stress responses alter the function of intratumoural immune cells and the efficacy of immunotherapy, highlighting the potential of unfolded protein response-targeted interventions to improve cancer outcomes.

Cancer prevention vaccines have reduced cancer-related mortalities, yet therapeutic cancer vaccine development and clinical translation continues to face challenges. Here, Zaidi, Jaffee and Yarchoan summarize the failures of cancer vaccines of the past, to highlight recent advancements in the field.