A localized hydrogel-mediated chemotherapy causes immunogenic cell death via activation of ceramide-mediated unfolded protein response

Sci Adv. 2023 Jun 30;9(26):eadf2746. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adf2746. Epub 2023 Jun 30.

Abstract

Treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is challenging because of its "COLD" tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment (TIME). Here, we present a hydrogel-mediated localized delivery of a combination of docetaxel (DTX) and carboplatin (CPT) (called DTX-CPT-Gel therapy) that ensured enhanced anticancer effect and tumor regression on multiple murine syngeneic and xenograft tumor models. DTX-CPT-Gel therapy modulated the TIME by an increase of antitumorigenic M1 macrophages, attenuation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and increase of granzyme B+CD8+ T cells. DTX-CPT-Gel therapy elevated ceramide levels in tumor tissues that activated the protein kinase R (PKR)-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK)-mediated unfolded protein response (UPR). This UPR-mediated activation of apoptotic cell death led to release of damage-associated molecular patterns, thereby activating the immunogenic cell death that could even clear the metastatic tumors. This study provides a promising hydrogel-mediated platform for DTX-CPT therapy that induces tumor regression and effective immune modulation and, therefore, can be explored further for treatment of TNBC.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes
  • Ceramides
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Humans
  • Hydrogels*
  • Immunogenic Cell Death
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Mice
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Tumor Microenvironment
  • Unfolded Protein Response

Substances

  • Hydrogels
  • Ceramides
  • Immunosuppressive Agents