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Updated: May 26, 2026
Experimental Melanoma Immunotherapy Model Using Tumor Vaccination with a Hematopoietic Cytokine
Published on: February 24, 2023
Prophylactic immunization with Bubble liposomes and ultrasound-treated dendritic cells provided a four-fold decrease
Yusuke Oda1, Ryo Suzuki, Shota Otake
1Department of Biopharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Teikyo University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan.
Abstract:
Melanoma has an early tendency to metastasize, and the majority of the resulting deaths are caused by metastatic melanoma. It is therefore important to develop effective therapies for metastasis. Dendritic cell (DC)-based cancer immunotherapy has been proposed as an effective therapeutic strategy for metastasis and recurrence due to prime tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes. In this therapy, it is important that DCs present peptides derived from tumor-associated antigens on MHC class I molecules. Previously, we developed an innovative approach capable of directly delivering exogenous antigens into the cytosol of DCs using perfluoropropane gas-entrapping liposomes (Bubble liposomes, BLs) and ultrasound. In the present study, we investigated the prevention of melanoma lung metastasis via DC-based immunotherapy. Specifically, antigens were extracted from melanoma cells and used to treat DCs by BL and ultrasound. Delivery into the DCs by this route did not require the endocytic pathway. The delivery efficiency was approximately 74.1%. DCs treated with melanoma-derived antigens were assessed for in vivo efficacy in a mouse model of lung metastasis. Prophylactic immunization with BL/ultrasound-treated DCs provided a four-fold decrease in the frequency of melanoma lung metastases. These in vitro and in vivo results demonstrate that the combination of BLs and ultrasound is a promising method for antigen delivery system into DCs.
Insights
This study shows that a novel dendritic cell (DC) therapy using bubble liposomes and ultrasound can prevent melanoma metastasis. This approach effectively delivers tumor antigens to DCs, significantly reducing lung metastases in mice.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Metastatic melanoma is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths.
- Dendritic cell (DC)-based immunotherapy shows promise for treating metastasis by activating cytotoxic T lymphocytes.
- Effective DC immunotherapy requires presenting tumor antigens on MHC class I molecules.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevention of melanoma lung metastasis using DC-based immunotherapy.
- To evaluate a novel antigen delivery system for DCs.
- To assess the efficacy of bubble liposomes (BLs) and ultrasound for delivering melanoma antigens into DCs.
Main Methods:
- Developed an innovative method using perfluoropropane gas-entrapping liposomes (Bubble liposomes, BLs) and ultrasound for direct cytosolic delivery of exogenous antigens into DCs.
- Extracted antigens from melanoma cells and used BLs/ultrasound to treat DCs, bypassing the endocytic pathway.
- Assessed the in vitro delivery efficiency (approximately 74.1%) and in vivo efficacy in a mouse model of lung metastasis.
Main Results:
- Prophylactic immunization with BL/ultrasound-treated DCs resulted in a four-fold decrease in the frequency of melanoma lung metastases.
- Demonstrated successful antigen delivery into DCs without utilizing the endocytic pathway.
- Confirmed the therapeutic potential of the BL/ultrasound system in a preclinical melanoma metastasis model.
Conclusions:
- The combination of BLs and ultrasound is a highly efficient and promising method for antigen delivery into DCs.
- This novel DC-based immunotherapy approach shows significant potential for preventing melanoma metastasis.
- Further research into this method could lead to more effective treatments for metastatic melanoma.
