Biocompatible single-chain polymer nanoparticles loaded with an antigen mimetic as potential anticancer vaccine

Raquel Gracia, Marco Marradi, Gianluca Salerno, Rocmira Pérez-Nicado, Adrián Pérez-San Vicente, Damien Dupin, Javier Rodriguez, Iraida Loinaz, Fabrizio Chiodo, Cristina Nativi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

34 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The "pancarcinoma" Tn antigen (αGalNAc-O-Ser/Thr) is a tumor-associated carbohydrate antigen (TACA) overexpressed on the surface of cancer cells and suitable target for anticancer vaccines. However, TACAs commonly show weak immunogenicity, low in vivo stability, and poor bioavailability. To address these issues, the development of physiologically stable TACA synthetic mimetics and novel nanocarriers for multivalent display are object of intense research. Nanomaterials represent suitable scaffolds to multimerize antigens, but absence of toxicity, easy functionalization and capability to incorporate biomolecules are compulsory characteristics for vaccine nanocarriers. Here, we report on the conjugation of a synthetic Tn-antigen mimetic to biocompatible and water-dispersible dextran-based single-chain nanoparticles (DXT-SCPNs). In vitro stimulation of PBMCs and analysis of interleukins production indicated a specific innate immune modulation mediated by the multivalent presentation of the Tn mimetic at the nanoparticle surface. These preliminary results pave the way for the development of Tn-mimetic clusters on biocompatible DXT-SCPN for TACA-based vaccines.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)196-200
Number of pages5
JournalACS MACRO LETTERS
Volume7
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 20 Feb 2018
Externally publishedYes

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