Redox-responsive polymer micelles co-encapsulating immune checkpoint inhibitors and chemotherapeutic agents for glioblastoma therapy

Nat Commun. 2024 Feb 6;15(1):1118. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-44963-3.

Abstract

Immunotherapy with immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) for glioblastoma (GBM) is promising but its clinical efficacy is seriously challenged by the blood-tumor barrier (BTB) and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Here, anti-programmed death-ligand 1 antibodies (aPD-L1) are loaded into a redox-responsive micelle and the ICB efficacy is further amplified by paclitaxel (PTX)-induced immunogenic cell death (ICD) via a co-encapsulation approach for the reinvigoration of local anti-GBM immune responses. Consequently, the micelles cross the BTB and are retained in the reductive tumor microenvironment without altering the bioactivity of aPD-L1. The ICB efficacy is enhanced by the aPD-L1 and PTX combination with suppression of primary and recurrent GBM, accumulation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes, and induction of long-lasting immunological memory in the orthotopic GBM-bearing mice. The co-encapsulation approach facilitating efficient antibody delivery and combining with chemotherapeutic agent-induced ICD demonstrate that the chemo-immunotherapy might reprogram local immunity to empower immunotherapy against GBM.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Glioblastoma* / pathology
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Immunotherapy
  • Mice
  • Micelles
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / drug therapy
  • Paclitaxel / therapeutic use
  • Polymers / therapeutic use
  • Tumor Microenvironment

Substances

  • Micelles
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
  • Polymers
  • Paclitaxel