Vitamin C supramolecular hydrogel for enhanced cancer immunotherapy. (August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Han; Liu, Kai; Gong, Yimou; Zhu, Wenjun; Zhu, Jiafei; Pan, Feng; Chao, Yu; Xiao, Zhishen; Liu, Yanbin; Wang, Xianwen; Liu, Zhuang; Yang, Yang; Chen, Qian
• Is Part Of: Biomaterials. Volume 287(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-08
• Subjects: Vitamin C -- Self-assembly -- Supramolecular hydrogel -- Drug delivery -- Cancer immunotherapy; Biomedical materials -- Periodicals; Biocompatible Materials -- Periodicals; Biomatériaux -- Périodiques; 610.28
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2022.121673
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0142-9612

Abstract

Abstract: Vitamin C (VitC) has shown great promise to promote cancer immunotherapy, however, its high hydrophilicity makes it quickly excreted, leading to limited therapeutic efficiency even with frequent high-dose administration. Herein, we provide a pioneering report about the employment of VitC amphiphile self-assembled nanofiber hydrogels for enhanced cancer immunotherapy. Specifically, driven by hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions, the synthesized VitC amphiphile, consisting of a hydrophilic VitC headgroup and a hydrophobic alkyl chain, could self-assemble into an injectable nanofiber hydrogel with self-healing properties. The formed VitC hydrogel not only serves as a reservoir for VitC but also acts as an effective delivery platform for stimulator of interferon genes (STING) agonist-4 (SA). Interestingly, the VitC hydrogel itself exhibits antitumor effects by upregulating genes related to interferon (IFN) signaling, apoptotic signaling and viral recognition and defense. Moreover, the SA-encapsulated VitC hydrogel (SA@VitC hydrogel) synergistically activated the immune system to inhibit the progression of both local and abscopal tumors.