Reprogramming systemic and local immune function to empower immunotherapy against glioblastoma

Nat Commun. 2023 Jan 26;14(1):435. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-35957-8.

Abstract

The limited benefits of immunotherapy against glioblastoma (GBM) is closely related to the paucity of T cells in brain tumor bed. Both systemic and local immunosuppression contribute to the deficiency of tumor-infiltrating T cells. However, the current studies focus heavily on the local immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment but not on the co-existence of systemic immunosuppression. Here, we develop a nanostructure named Nano-reshaper to co-encapsulate lymphopenia alleviating agent cannabidiol and lymphocyte recruiting cytokine LIGHT. The results show that Nano-reshaper increases the number of systemic T cells and improves local T-cell recruitment condition, thus greatly increasing T-cell infiltration. When combined with immune checkpoint inhibitor, this therapeutic modality achieves 83.3% long-term survivors without recurrence in GBM models in male mice. Collectively, this work unveils that simultaneous reprogramming of systemic and local immune function is critical for T-cell based immunotherapy and provides a clinically translatable option for combating brain tumors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Glioblastoma* / pathology
  • Immunity
  • Immunosuppression Therapy
  • Immunotherapy / methods
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Tumor Microenvironment