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Published on: June 27, 2025
LncRNA-targeting bio-scaffold mediates triple immune effects for postoperative colorectal cancer immunotherapy
Feng Liu1, Zheng Dai1, Qian Cheng2
1Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China; Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.
Abstract:
Colorectal cancer (CRC) recurrence after surgical resection results in poor clinical outcomes. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging new targets for mediating tumorigenesis and immunosuppression within tumor microenvironment. We develop a bio-scaffold encapsulating lncRNA-targeting biomimetic nanosystems for mediating triple immune effects against postoperative CRC recurrence. Liposome (termed as "D")-decorated CRC cells' membrane (CM) envelops a plasmid encoding a short hair-pinned RNA (shRNA) against plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (Pvt1), forming the shPvt1-CM-D nanosystem. This nanosystem and the chemodrug Oxaliplatin (Oxa) are embedded in a hyaluronic acid and alginate-based bio-scaffold for postoperative implantation. (1) ShPvt1-CM-D-mediated Pvt1 knockdown strengthens Oxa-induced immunogenic cell death (ICD). (2) Such tumor antigens released from enhanced ICD and the CM from shPvt1-CM-D act as dual vaccines of dendritic cells. (3) Pvt1 knockdown by shPvt1-CM-D within granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (G-MDSCs) ameliorates G-MDSC-mediated immunosuppression. The nanosystem-carrying bio-scaffold significantly suppresses perioperative CRC local recurrence by 97.8% with survival rate (SR) of 62.5%. The bio-scaffold generates robust immune memory responses for completely suppressing tumor ectopic rechallenging and metachronous metastasis (SR: 100%). Additionally, the bio-scaffold reduces synchronously distant metastasis by 70.8%. This work presents a potent nanotechnology-facilitated lncRNA-targeting immunotherapy for postoperative CRC treatments.
Insights
A novel bio-scaffold targets long noncoding RNA Pvt1 to enhance chemotherapy and triple immune responses, significantly reducing colorectal cancer recurrence and metastasis after surgery.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cancer Research
- Immunotherapy
Background:
- Colorectal cancer (CRC) recurrence post-surgery leads to poor outcomes.
- Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play roles in tumorigenesis and immune suppression.
- Targeting lncRNAs offers a new therapeutic strategy for CRC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a bio-scaffold with lncRNA-targeting nanosystems for triple immune effects against postoperative CRC recurrence.
- To investigate the combined efficacy of the nanosystem, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy.
Main Methods:
- A liposome-decorated cancer cell membrane nanosystem (shPvt1-CM-D) targeting lncRNA Pvt1 was developed.
- The nanosystem and oxaliplatin (Oxa) were embedded in a hyaluronic acid and alginate bio-scaffold.
- Triple immune effects were mediated: enhanced oxaliplatin-induced immunogenic cell death (ICD), dual vaccine effects for dendritic cells, and amelioration of immunosuppression by granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (G-MDSCs).
Main Results:
- The bio-scaffold suppressed local CRC recurrence by 97.8% with a 62.5% survival rate.
- It generated immune memory, completely suppressing tumor rechallenging and metachronous metastasis (100% survival rate).
- Synchronous distant metastasis was reduced by 70.8%.
Conclusions:
- Nanotechnology-facilitated, lncRNA-targeting immunotherapy shows potent efficacy against postoperative CRC recurrence.
- The developed bio-scaffold offers a promising strategy for comprehensive treatment of colorectal cancer.
- This approach enhances anti-tumor immunity and reduces metastasis effectively.
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