Self-healing microcapsules synergetically modulate immunization microenvironments for potent cancer vaccination

Abstract

Therapeutic cancer vaccines that harness the immune system to reject cancer cells have shown great promise for cancer treatment. Although a wave of efforts have spurred to improve the therapeutic effect, unfavorable immunization microenvironment along with a complicated preparation process and frequent vaccinations substantially compromise the performance. Here, we report a novel microcapsule-based formulation for high-performance cancer vaccinations. The special self-healing feature provides a mild and efficient paradigm for antigen microencapsulation. After vaccination, these microcapsules create a favorable immunization microenvironment in situ, wherein antigen release kinetics, recruited cell behavior, and acid surrounding work in a synergetic manner. In this case, we can effectively increase the antigen utilization, improve the antigen presentation, and activate antigen presenting cells. As a result, effective T cell response, potent tumor inhibition, antimetastatic effects, and prevention of postsurgical recurrence are achieved with various types of antigens, while neoantigen was encapsuled and evaluated in different tumor models.