Work

In situ hydrogel nanovaccine based on whole-cell tumor antigen efficiently activates adaptive immunity for the prevention and treatment of ovarian cancer

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Due to the late diagnosis with widespread peritoneal metastases and frequent chemoresistance, ovarian cancer has limited survival rates and necessitates innovative therapies. Here, we present an in situ hydrogel nanovaccine (LCMP@ALG) for spatiotemporally-synchronized antigen-adjuvant delivery to stimulate robust antitumor immunity. The hydrogel continuously releases mannosylated nanoparticles LCMP which are effectively internalized by dendritic cells and actively accumulate in lymph nodes via the ligand-mediated targeting effect. Benefiting from autologous tumor cell lysates, the vaccines evade antigen-specific tolerance. LCMP can synergistically activate Toll-like receptor 4 and Toll-like receptor 9 to augment antigen processing and cross-presentation, further potentiating the activation of humoral and cellular antitumor immunity. In the mouse model, the vaccine LCMP@ALG induces specific antitumor responses as well as long-term immunological memory. When combined with Programmed cell death protein 1 blockade, LCMP@ALG demonstrates a superior efficacy in prevention and elimination of ovarian cancer.

Source: Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B

DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2026.07.030