Enhanced Efficacy of a TLR3 Agonist Delivered by Cowpea Chlorotic Mottle Virus Nanoparticles

Intratumoral immunotherapies are those that are administered directly into a tumor to remodel the local tumor microenvironment and stimulate systemic anti-tumor immunity. Small molecule toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists are undergoing development as intratumoral immunotherapies, and here the TLR3 agonist poly(I:C) is considered. Because small molecule therapeutics often suffer rapid washout effects and ineffective immune cell uptake, poly(I:C) is encapsulated into nanoparticles derived from cowpea chlorotic mottle virus (CCMV). The particles (but not the separate components) stimulate the activity of macrophages in vitro and are able to reduce tumor growth and prolong survival in mouse models of colon cancer and melanoma. CCMV-poly(I:C) is also combined with oxaliplatin and found the combination therapy to be even more potent, strongly inhibiting tumor growth and increasing survival. The analysis of immune markers reveals that CCMV-poly(I:C) VLPs with oxaliplatin promoted the infiltration and activation of CD4+ and CD8+ cells and the production of IL-4 and IFN-gamma, indicating a synergistic immunogenic effect. The combined treatment also enhances the rate of apoptosis and immunogenic cell death (ICD). The data support the development of combination therapies involving immunomodulatory plant virus nanoparticles and antineoplastic drugs to attack tumors directly and via the activation of innate and adaptive immune responses. This study investigates intratumoral immunotherapy using a TLR3 agonist, poly(I:C), encapsulated in cowpea chlorotic mottle virus (CCMV) nanoparticles. These nanoparticles effectively stimulate immune responses, reducing tumor growth and enhancing survival in colon cancer and melanoma mouse models. Combining CCMV-poly(I:C) with oxaliplatin further improves efficacy, inducing immune cell infiltration, and cytokine production, suggesting promising combination therapies for cancer treatment.image (c) 2024 WILEY-VCH GmbH