Injectable polypeptide-engineered hydrogel depot for amplifying the anti-tumor immune effect induced by chemo-photothermal therapy. Issue 37 (21st August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hou, Xiao-lin; Dai, Xiang; Yang, Jie; Zhang, Bin; Zhao, Dong-hui; Li, Chao-qing; Yin, Zhong-yuan; Zhao, Yuan-di; Liu, Bo
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 8:Issue 37(2020)
• Page Start: 8623
• Page End: 8633
• Publication Date: 2020-08-21
• Subjects: Materials -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Biomedical materials -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/d0tb01370f
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-750X

Abstract

Abstract : The immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment has caused great obstacles to tumor immunotherapy, especially where less tumor-associated antigens are released from tumor sites. Abstract : The immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment has caused great obstacles to tumor immunotherapy, especially where less tumor-associated antigens are released from tumor sites. Herein, a Ag2 S QD/DOX/Bestatin@PC10 ARGD genetically engineered polypeptide hydrogel PC10 ARGD as a sustained-release material was developed for mammary carcinoma treatment. A near-infrared silver sulfide (Ag2 S) QD as a photosensitizer was encapsulated into the hydrophobic cavity formed by the self-assembly of the polypeptide nanogel (PC10 ARGD) for photothermal therapy. The water-soluble drug DOX and Bestatin were integrated into the PC10 ARGD hydrogel. The photothermal effect could trigger the sustained release of the DOX, which could be applied to initiate in situ vaccination. Bestatin as an immune-adjuvant drug could amplify the body's immune function. The results of in vivo therapy tests exhibited that the Ag2 S QD/DOX/Bestatin@PC10 ARGD hydrogel with laser irradiation could activate anti-tumor immune effects that inhibit the growth of primary tumors and distal lung metastatic nodules. Meanwhile, a safer lower-temperature with multiple laser irradiation treatment strategy exhibited more effective tumor-killing performance (84.4% tumor inhibition rate) and promoted the penetration of immune cells into the tumor tissue. The CD8 + and CD4 + cytotoxic T cells ratio was increased by 5.3 and 10 times, respectively, thus exhibiting a good prognostic signal. The multifunctional polypeptide hydrogel as a green manufacturing and engineering material is promising to serve as a cancer vaccine for anticancer applications.