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Multivalent polymers displaying M2 macrophage-targeting peptides improve target binding avidity and serum stability
Chayanon Ngambenjawong1, Suzie H Pun1
1Department of Bioengineering and Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, United States.
ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering
|February 13, 2018
Summary
Researchers developed targeted drug delivery platforms using M2 macrophage-targeting peptides (M2pep) to reprogram pro-tumoral M2 macrophages. This approach shows promise for cancer immunotherapy by selectively targeting M2 macrophages and improving serum stability.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) exhibit diverse phenotypes, with high M2-to-M1 ratios correlating with poor cancer prognosis.
- Modulating TAMs, particularly M2-like macrophages, is a promising cancer immunotherapy strategy.
- Effective targeting systems for M2 macrophages are lacking, hindering therapeutic development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop M2 macrophage-selective targeted drug delivery platforms.
- To investigate the potential of M2pep-grafted polymers for cancer immunotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Grafting M2 macrophage-targeting peptides (M2pep) onto poly(N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide).
- Evaluating the avidity, serum stability, and M2 macrophage-selective toxicity of the developed platforms.
Main Results:
- Successful development of high avidity, M2 macrophage-selective targeted drug delivery platforms.
- The M2pep-grafted polymers demonstrated improved serum stability.
- These platforms exhibited selective toxicity towards M2 macrophages.
Conclusions:
- M2pep-grafted polymers represent a novel and effective system for targeting M2 macrophages.
- This targeted delivery approach holds potential for advancing cancer immunotherapy by modulating the tumor microenvironment.
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