Assessing the Efficacy of a Tumor Nanovaccine and Artificial Antigen Presenting Cell-Based System as a Combination Therapy in a Mouse Model of Melanoma

Tumor cell lysate (TCL)-based vaccines contain a large number of tumor-specific and related antigens, albeit at low levels, that require active transfer and presentation by antigen-presenting cells (APCs) in vivo, which stimulate a weak immune response. The artificial APC (aAPC) system presented herein is a cell-based therapeutic system that can significantly enhance the immune response compared to TCL-based vaccines. This study combines these two treatment strategies to assess their in vitro and in vivo effects. We successfully prepared TCL-poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-PEI (TPP) and demonstrated that it was phagocytosedIP:by203.8.109.20theAPCsO:andThu, enhanced22 Septhe2022maturation09:47:02ofDCsin vitro. The use of TPP in combination with the aAPCs resulted in better antitumor effects compared to tindividual therapies. The combination Copyright: American Sc entific Publishe rs therapy induced a higher proportion of CD4+ T, C8+ T, and TRP2180-188-specific CD8+ T cells in comparison with the Delive ed by Inge a individual therapies. Additionally, the combination therapy enhanced the in vitro proliferation activity; greater inhibited regulatory T cells; and promoted inflammatory cytokine secretion, while reduced the production of inhibitory cytokines. In conclusion, the combination therapy consisting of the TPP tumor nanovaccine and the aAPC system enabled a broader immune response and achieve better antitumor effects compared to treatment with the individual therapies.