DC microvesicle NPs (MVNPs) were produced by mixing cationic NPs with tumor cell lysate, incubating them with DCs, and releasing NP microvesicles via UV irradiation. MVNPs expressed DC markers and promoted accumulation of i.t. “migratory” CD103+ DCs in orthotopic mouse models, a parameter which predicted outcomes in human PDAC/NSCLC. In vivo tracking confirmed that MVNPs enhanced CD8+ T cell and endogenous DC infiltration in tumors and tDLNs compared to a DC vaccine. Interestingly, MVNPs promoted robust DC STING activation in vitro, which may have resulted from cationic NPs’ enrichment for mtDNA.

Contributed by Morgan Janes

ABSTRACT: Low migratory dendritic cell (DC) levels pose a challenge in cancer immune surveillance, yet their impact on tumor immune status and immunotherapy responses remains unclear. We present clinical evidence linking reduced migratory DC levels to immune-cold tumor status, resulting in poor patient outcomes. To address this, we develop an autologous DC-based nanovaccination strategy using patient-derived organoid or cancer cell lysate-pulsed cationic nanoparticles (cNPs) to load immunogenic DC-derived microvesicles (cNP(cancer cell)@MV(DC)). This approach transforms immune-cold tumors, increases migratory DCs, activates T cells and natural killer cells, reduces tumor growth, and enhances survival in orthotopic pancreatic and lung cancer models, surpassing conventional methods. In vivo imaging reveals superior cNP(cancer cell)@MV(DC) accumulation in tumors and lymph nodes, promoting immune cell infiltration. Mechanistically, cNPs enrich mitochondrial DNA, enhancing cGAS-STING-mediated DC activation and migration. Our strategy shifts cold tumors to a hot state, enhancing antitumor immunity for potential personalized cancer treatments.

Author Info: (1) Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, St

Author Info: (1) Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China. (2) Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China. (3) Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Department of Ultrasound, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China. (4) Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China. (5) Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China. (6) Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China. (7) Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China. (8) Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China. (9) Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China. (10) Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China. Electronic address: huangbp3@mail.sysu.edu.cn.