Based on clinical results indicating a negative correlation between IL-10 levels and survival, Shen et al. designed a plasmid encoding an IL-10 trap protein delivered in a nanoparticle to reduce IL-10 levels in the KPC pancreatic and 4T1 breast tumor models. Additionally, a CXCL12 trap was evaluated separately and in combination to enhance T cell infiltration. The combined traps improved survival in the KPC model and the IL-10 trap alone was active in the 4T1 model. Neutralizing these immunosuppressive molecules reprogrammed the TME by increasing/decreasing multiple cell types and enhancing DC, NK, and CD8+ T cell function.

In many cancers, the tumor microenvironment (TME) is largely immune suppressive, blocking the antitumor immunity and resulting in immunotherapy resistance. Interleukin 10 (IL-10) is a major player controlling the immunosuppressive TME in different murine tumor models. Increased IL-10 production suppresses intratumoral dendritic cell production of interleukin 12, thereby limiting antitumor cytotoxic T cell responses and activation of NK cells during therapy. We engineered, formulated, and delivered genes encoding an IL-10 protein trap to change immunosuppressive TME, which could enhance antitumor immunity. Additionally, to achieve stronger and long-term therapeutic efficacy in a pancreatic cancer model, we targeted C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12), a key factor for inhibiting T-cell tumor infiltration, and simultaneously delivered an IL-10 trap. Following three injections of the lipid-protamine-DNA (LPD) nanoparticles loaded with trap genes (IL-10 trap and CXCL12 trap), we found tumor growth reduction and significantly prolonged survival of the host compared to control groups. Furthermore, the combination trap gene treatment significantly reduced immunosuppressive cells-such as M2 macrophages, MDSCs, and PD-L1+ cells-and activated immunosuppressive tolerogenic dendritic cells, NK cells, and macrophages intratumorally. We have also shown that, when effectively delivered to the tumor, the IL-10 trap gene alone can inhibit triple negative breast cancer growth. This strategy may allow clinicians and researchers to change the immunosuppressive microenvironment in the tumor with either a single therapeutic agent or in combination with other immunotherapies to prime the immune system preventing cancer invasion and prolonging patient survival.

Author Info: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11)

Author Info: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11)