Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 8, 2026
08:40
Preparation of Tumor Antigen-loaded Mature Dendritic Cells for Immunotherapy
Published on: August 1, 2013
18.6K
Engineering M13 Filamentous Phages to Target Dendritic Cells and Elicit Anti-Tumour Immunity
Yee Man AuYeung1, Zheng Zeng1,2,3, Luyao Coco Zhou1
1School of Biomedical Sciences and School of Biomedical Engineering, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, 000, Hong Kong SAR.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|December 15, 2025
Summary
SCP, a novel phage-based vector, enhances cancer immunotherapy by improving antigen delivery and activating immune cells. This platform boosts T cell responses and provides durable immunity without needing specific neoantigens.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Immunology
- Nanomedicine
Background:
- Filamentous M13 phages show potential as self-adjuvanting nanoparticles for cancer immunotherapy.
- Current limitations include antigen versatility and immune targeting challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop SCP, an M13 phage-based vector for cancer immunotherapy.
- SCP aims to conjugate antigens and target dendritic cells (DCs) for enhanced antigen uptake.
Main Methods:
- SCP utilizes a SpyCatcher-SpyTag interface for antigen conjugation.
- It presents DC-targeting peptides to improve antigen presentation.
- In vitro and in vivo studies were conducted in murine tumor models.
Main Results:
- SCP activates DCs, upregulating co-stimulatory markers and inflammatory genes, enhancing T cell cytotoxicity.
- In vivo, SCP administered subcutaneously or intratumourally induced local inflammation, immunogenic cell death, and antigen release.
- SCP promoted anti-tumor immune responses, reduced neovascularization, downregulated immune checkpoints, and established durable systemic immunity.
Conclusions:
- SCP is a scalable, cost-effective platform for enhancing tumor immunogenicity.
- It bypasses the need for predefined neoantigen selection and exogenous vaccine production.
- SCP offers a versatile approach for cancer immunotherapy.
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