Enhanced Cancer Immunotherapy via In Situ Nanomicelle-Forming Dissolving Microneedles
발표자
유빈 (성균관대학교 약학대학원)
연구책임자
정지훈 (성균관대학교)
초록
내용
Efficient co-delivery of tumor antigens and immunostimulatory adjuvants to lymph nodes is key to inducing robust anti-tumor immunity. We developed a dissolving microneedle (MN) system using an amphiphilic triblock copolymer that forms nanomicelles (NMCs) in situ upon skin application. These NMCs co-encapsulate hydrophobic TLR7/8 agonist (R848) and hydrophilic antigens (OVA), enabling effective lymphatic delivery and enhanced uptake by antigen-presenting cells. The MNs rapidly dissolve to release 30–40 nm NMCs optimized for lymph node targeting, minimizing systemic exposure and maximizing immune activation. In EG7-OVA tumor-bearing mice, transdermal delivery of R848/OVA-loaded MNs elicited strong antigen-specific humoral and cellular immune responses, resulting in potent therapeutic and prophylactic anti-tumor effects. This needle-free MN platform offers a promising strategy for safe and effective cancer vaccination with improved patient compliance.