A cytokine-delivering polymer is effective in reducing tumor burden in a head and neck squamous cell carcinoma murine model
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Updated: Apr 29, 2026
Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment
Published on: April 22, 2019
Yuan Lin1, Jie Luo1, Weichao Eric Zhu2
1Department of Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA UCLA Head and Neck Cancer Program, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Objective:
This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of a novel polymer platform delivering cisplatin and cytokines in the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
Study Design:
In vivo study.
Setting:
Academic research laboratory.
Subjects And Methods:
Mice were randomized to receive implantation of (1) no polymer, (2) plain polymer, (3) plain polymer with local cisplatin injection, or (4) cisplatin polymer. The 2 groups of mice implanted with cisplatin polymer or no polymer were further randomized to receive (1) 4 Grays external beam radiation for 4 days or (2) no radiation. For cytokine studies, mice were grouped into (1) no polymer, (2) plain polymer, (3) plain polymer with intratumoral injection of recombinant CCL21 twice a week, (4) polymer containing parental dendritic cells, or (5) polymer containing dendritic cells secreting CCL21 (DC-CCL21).
Results:
The cisplatin-secreting polymer effectively reduced tumors in the mice by more than 16-fold (P < .01). We also observed a statistically significant lower tumor weight among mice treated with cisplatin polymer and concomitant radiation compared to control groups. The DC-CCL21 polymer reduced SCCVII/SF tumors in the C3H/HeJ mice by more than 41% (P < .01).
Conclusion:
Herein, we demonstrate the efficacy of a novel polymer platform in delivering cisplatin and cytokines. We also demonstrate that we can effectively grow dendritic cells in the polymer that can actively secrete CCL21 for a minimum of 5 days. This polymer may represent a new therapeutic modality for patients with HNSCC. Once this polymer platform is optimized, we will plan to pursue prospective trials in patients with HNSCC.
