Biomaterial-based vaccine induces regression of established intracranial glioma in rats
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Updated: Jun 5, 2026
Intranasal Delivery of Therapeutic Stem Cells to Glioblastoma in a Mouse Model
Published on: June 4, 2017
Omar A Ali1, Ed Doherty, William J Bell
1InCytu, Inc., 701 George Washington Highway, Lincoln, Rhode Island 02865, USA.
Purpose:
The prognosis for glioma patients is poor, and development of new treatments is critical. Previously, we engineered polymer-based vaccines that control GM-CSF, CpG-oligonucleotide, and tumor-lysate presentation to regulate immune cell trafficking and activation, which promoted potent immune responses against peripheral tumors. Here, we extend the use of this system to glioma.
Methods:
Rats were challenged with an intracranial injection of glioma cells followed (1 week) by administration of the polymeric vaccine (containing GM-CSF, CpG, and tumor-lysate) in the tumor bed. Control rats were treated with blank matrices, matrices with GM-CSF and CpG, or intra-tumoral bolus injections of GM-CSF, CpG, and tumor lysate. Rats were monitored for survival and tested for neurological function.
Results:
Survival studies confirmed a benefit of the polymeric vaccine as 90% of vaccinated rats survived for > 100 days. Control rats exhibited minimal benefit. Motor tests revealed that vaccination protected against the loss of forelimb use produced by glioma growth. Histological analysis quantitatively confirmed a robust and rapid reduction in tumor size. Long-term immunity was confirmed when 67% of survivors also survived a second glioma challenge.
Conclusions:
These studies extend previous reports regarding this approach to tumor therapy and justify further development for glioma treatment.
