Cargo-free particles of ammonio methacrylate copolymers: From pharmaceutical inactive ingredients to effective anticancer immunotherapeutics.

Cargo-free particles of ammonio methacrylate copolymers: From pharmaceutical inactive ingredients to effective anticancer immunotherapeutics. Biomaterials. 2018 Mar 02;166:1-12 Authors: Shetab Boushehri MA, Stein V, Lamprecht A Abstract Nanoparticles create exciting platforms for anticancer immunotherapy and vaccination, though their inherent immunomodulatory properties have remained underexploited. Ammonio methacrylate copolymers (AMC) are well-established excipients in pharmaceutical industry and components of controlled-release oral formulations. Here, we demonstrate that nanoscaling of type A and B AMC (Eudragit® RL and RS) endows these inactive ingredients immunostimulatory properties exploitable for cancer therapy. The particles induce the secretion of various pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines from the cells of innate immunity. Though the underlying mechanisms are not fully uncovered, the current work established the partial involvement of Toll-like Receptor 4 (TLR4) and Nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). The size and charge-dependency of the particles' pro-inflammatory properties and cytokine/chemokine induction profile was also demonstrated. Within the context of cancer immunotherapy, biweekly peritumoral nanoparticle injection led to a complete regression of the syngeneic colorectal tumor, or a significant growth retardation thereof, considerably extending the survival of tumor-bearing animals. Additionally, presence of t...
Source: Biomaterials - Category: Materials Science Authors: Tags: Biomaterials Source Type: research