Allogeneic "Zombie Cell" as Off-The-Shelf Vaccine for Postsurgical Cancer Immunotherapy

Abstract

Allogeneic tumor cell vaccines provide off-the-shelf convenience but lack patient specificity due to heterogeneity in tumor antigens. Here, allogeneic tumor cell corpses are converted into "zombie cells" capable of assimilating heterogeneous tumor by seizing cancer cells and spreading adjuvant infection. This causes pseudo-oncolysis of tumors, transforming them into immunogenic targets for enhanced phagocytosis. It is shown that in postoperative tumor models, localized delivery of premade "zombie cells" through stepwise gelation in resection cavity consolidates tumor surgery. Compared to analogous vaccines lacking "seizing" or "assimilating" capability, "zombie cell" platform effectively mobilizes T cell response against residual tumors, and establishes immunological memory against tumor re-challenge, showing less susceptibility to immune evasion. Despite using allogeneic sources, "zombie cell" platform functions as generalizable framework to produce long-term antitumor immunity in different tumor models, showing comparable effect to autologous vaccine. Together, with the potential of off-the-shelf availability and personalized relevance to heterogenous tumor antigens, this study suggests an alternative strategy for timely therapy after tumor surgery.

Keywords: biomedical engineering; cell delivery; localized therapy; postsurgical immunotherapy; whole tumor cell vaccine.