[HTML][HTML] Injectable cryogel-based whole-cell cancer vaccines

SA Bencherif, R Warren Sands, OA Ali, WA Li… - Nature …, 2015 - nature.com
SA Bencherif, R Warren Sands, OA Ali, WA Li, SA Lewin, TM Braschler, TY Shih
Nature communications, 2015nature.com
A biomaterial-based vaccination system that uses minimal extracorporeal manipulation
could provide in situ enhancement of dendritic cell (DC) numbers, a physical space where
DCs interface with transplanted tumour cells, and an immunogenic context. Here we
encapsulate GM-CSF, serving as a DC enhancement factor, and CpG ODN, serving as a DC
activating factor, into sponge-like macroporous cryogels. These cryogels are injected
subcutaneously into mice to localize transplanted tumour cells and deliver …
Abstract
A biomaterial-based vaccination system that uses minimal extracorporeal manipulation could provide in situ enhancement of dendritic cell (DC) numbers, a physical space where DCs interface with transplanted tumour cells, and an immunogenic context. Here we encapsulate GM-CSF, serving as a DC enhancement factor, and CpG ODN, serving as a DC activating factor, into sponge-like macroporous cryogels. These cryogels are injected subcutaneously into mice to localize transplanted tumour cells and deliver immunomodulatory factors in a controlled spatio-temporal manner. These vaccines elicit local infiltrates composed of conventional and plasmacytoid DCs, with the subsequent induction of potent, durable and specific anti-tumour T-cell responses in a melanoma model. These cryogels can be delivered in a minimally invasive manner, bypass the need for genetic modification of transplanted cancer cells and provide sustained release of immunomodulators. Altogether, these findings indicate the potential for cryogels to serve as a platform for cancer cell vaccinations.
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