A nanoparticle vaccine immunotherapy, created by University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UTSW), shows potential against different cancer types. The first-of –its-kind nanovaccine, is made by tumor proteins that can be recognized by the immune system (tumor antigens) encapsulated inside a synthetic polymer nanoparticle. The tumor antigens teach and stimulate the immune system to generate an immune response against the cancer.
Study senior author Dr. Jinming Gao, a Professor of Pharmacology and Otolaryngology in UTSW’s Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center said: “What is unique about our design is the simplicity of the single-polymer composition that can precisely deliver tumor antigens to immune cells while stimulating innate immunity. These actions result in safe and robust production of tumor-specific T cells that kill cancer cells.”
According to the results, published in Nature Nanotechnology, the nanovaccine showed efficacy against multiple tumor types in mice models of cancer. The vaccine was tested in mice models of melanoma, colorectal cancer, HPV-related cancers of the cervix, head, neck, and anogenital regions. In most cases, the nanovaccine slowed tumor growth and extended the animals’ lives.
Common vaccines require immune cells to pick up tumor antigens in a “depot system”, and then travel to the lymphoid organs for T cell activation, Dr. Gao explained. In contrast, nanovaccines can travel to the body’s lymph nodes to activate tumor-specific immune responses.
Study senior author Dr. Zhijian “James” Chen, Professor of Molecular Biology and Director of the Center for Inflammation Research said: “For nanoparticle vaccines to work, they must deliver antigens to proper cellular compartments within specialized immune cells called antigen-presenting cells and stimulate innate immunity […] Our nanovaccine did all of those things.”
In the case of the UTSW nanovaccine, it works by activating an adaptor protein called STING, which in turn stimulates the body’s immune defense system to prevent cancer.
Most vaccines developed for cancer immunotherapy use live bacteria or multiplex biological stimulants, Dr. Gao said. This complexity can make production costly and, in some cases, lead to immune-related toxicities in patients.
The investigative team is now working with physicians at UT Southwestern to explore clinical testing of the STING-activating nanovaccines for a variety of cancer indications. Combining nanovaccines with radiation or other immunotherapy strategies such as “checkpoint inhibition” can further augment their anti-tumor effectiveness.
Source: Science Direct
