Injectable cryogel-based whole-cell cancer vaccines

• DOI: 10.1038/ncomms8556
• Publication Date: 2015-08-12T10:44:18Z
• Authors: Sidi A. Bencherif; R. Warren Sands; Omar A. Ali; Weiwei A. Li; Sarah A. Lewin; Thomas M. Braschler; Ting-Yu Shih; Catia S. Verbeke; Deen Bhatta; Glenn Dranoff; David J. Mooney
• Keywords: Cancer Immunotherapy

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 DC factor, CpG ODN, activating into sponge-like macroporous cryogels. These cryogels are injected subcutaneously mice to localize cells deliver immunomodulatory factors controlled spatio-temporal manner. vaccines elicit local infiltrates composed conventional plasmacytoid DCs, the subsequent induction potent, durable specific anti-tumour T-cell responses melanoma model. can be delivered minimally invasive manner, bypass need for genetic modification cancer sustained release immunomodulators. Altogether, these findings indicate potential serve platform vaccinations. Immune induced organized, cytokine-rich environment lymph nodes, which mimicked by biomaterials. authors show injectable gels decorated immunostimulatory attract boost antitumour immune mice.