Callmann et al. synthesized liposomal spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) encapsulating lysates from triple-negative breast cancer cell lines as antigens (Lys-SNAs) and immunostimulatory oligonucleotides (CpG-1826) as adjuvants. Compared to the mixture of individual components, Lys-SNAs showed better codelivery of antigens and adjuvant to the immune cells (in vitro and in vivo) and reduced tumor growth in Py8119 and Py230, but not EMT6, tumor models. Oxidation of EMT6 cells prior to lysate generation led to enhanced dendritic cell activation; increased CD8+ T cell and decreased MDSC infiltration; improved tumor control and survival; and resistance to rechallenge in the EMT6 model.
Contributed by Shishir Pant
ABSTRACT: Highly heterogenous cancers, such as triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), remain challenging immunotherapeutic targets. Herein, we describe the synthesis and evaluation of immunotherapeutic liposomal spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) for TNBC therapy. The SNAs comprise immunostimulatory oligonucleotides (CpG-1826) as adjuvants and encapsulate lysates derived from TNBC cell lines as antigens. The resulting nanostructures (Lys-SNAs) enhance the codelivery of adjuvant and antigen to immune cells when compared to simple mixtures of lysates with linear oligonucleotides both in vitro and in vivo, and reduce tumor growth relative to simple mixtures of lysate and CpG-1826 (Lys-Mix) in both Py230 and Py8119 orthotopic syngeneic mouse models of TNBC. Furthermore, oxidizing TNBC cells prior to lysis and incorporation into SNAs (OxLys-SNAs) significantly increases the activation of dendritic cells relative to their nonoxidized counterparts. When administered peritumorally in vivo in the EMT6 mouse mammary carcinoma model, OxLys-SNAs significantly increase the population of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells and simultaneously decrease the population of myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) within the tumor microenvironment, when compared with Lys-SNAs and simple mixtures of oxidized lysates with CpG-1826. Importantly, animals administered OxLys-SNAs exhibit significant antitumor activity and prolonged survival relative to all other treatment groups, and resist tumor rechallenge. Together, these results show that the way lysates are processed and packaged has a profound impact on their immunogenicity and therapeutic efficacy. Moreover, this work points toward the potential of oxidized tumor cell lysate-loaded SNAs as a potent class of immunotherapeutics for cancers lacking common therapeutic targets.
Author Info: (1) Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208. International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL (2) Department of Chemis
Author Info: (1) Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208. International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL (2) Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208. International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL (3) Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208. International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL (4) International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208. (5) Department of Pharmacology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611. Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL (6) Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208; chadnano@northwestern.edu. International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208. Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
