Tumor-targeting nanocarriers amplified immunotherapy of cold tumors by STING activation and inhibiting immune evasion.

Publication date: Jun 27, 2025

The low immunogenicity and immune escape are bottlenecks for effective tumor immunotherapy. Here, we synthesized multifunctional polymers comprising a photosensitizer and cationic and thiol derivates and engineered a galactose-installed stimulator of interferon genes (STING) agonist and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) small interfering RNA (siPDL1)-encapsulated nanocarriers (cGAMP-siPDL1@GalNPs) for synergistic immunotherapy of low immunogenic tumors through stimulating robust immune responses. cGAMP-siPDL1@GalNPs efficiently delivered the drugs into cancer cells by targeting the galactose receptors to trigger photo-/redox-/pH-activated drug release. cGAMP-siPDL1@GalNPs stimulated robust antitumor immunity via STING activation and immunogenic cell death (ICD) and inhibited immune escape via knockdown of PD-L1 expression in tumors, which synergistically regulated the immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment. Upon laser irradiation, the nanocarriers efficiently eradicated primary melanoma and orthotopic triple-negative breast tumors and induced ICD effects, which synergically inhibited the distant tumor and spontaneous lung metastasis with improved survival rates. This study presents a strategy for developing nanocarriers to activate antitumor immunity and regulate immune invasion for effective immunotherapy.

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Concepts Keywords
Eradicated Animals
Immunogenic B7-H1 Antigen
Nanocarriers B7-H1 Antigen
Photosensitizer Cell Line, Tumor
Tumor Drug Carriers
Drug Carriers
Female
Humans
Immunogenic Cell Death
Immunotherapy
Membrane Proteins
Membrane Proteins
Mice
Nanoparticles
Nucleotides, Cyclic
Nucleotides, Cyclic
RNA, Small Interfering
RNA, Small Interfering
STING1 protein, human
Tumor Microenvironment

Semantics

Type Source Name
disease MESH Tumor
drug DRUGBANK Galactose
pathway REACTOME Release
disease MESH melanoma
pathway KEGG Melanoma
disease MESH breast tumors
disease MESH metastasis

Original Article

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