Tumor immunotherapy has been in development for more than a century. With the rapid developments in biotechnology research in recent years, immunotherapy has become a promising oncotherapy strategy after surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Cancer vaccines are a promising new treatment strategy and the application of nanotechnology in cancer vaccines, greatly enhances their effectiveness. Such applications indicate the bright prospects of tumor immunotherapy. The multifunctional nanomaterials used in cancer vaccines and their practical application in specific cancer vaccines are hereby reviewed. In addition, a preliminary analysis of the current and prospective use of nanotechnology with the purpose of providing solutions to cancer vaccine challenges is presented.