A microparticle platform for STING-targeted immunotherapy enhances natural killer cell- and CD8 T cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity.

Immunotherapies have significantly improved cancer patient survival, but response rates are still limited. Thus, novel formulations are needed to expand the breadth of immunotherapies. Pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) can be used to stimulate an immune response, but several pathogen recognition receptors are located within the cell, making delivery challenging.

A nanoparticle-incorporated STING activator enhances antitumor immunity in PD-L1-insensitive models of triple-negative breast cancer.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has few therapeutic options, and alternative approaches are urgently needed. Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) is becoming an exciting target for therapeutic adjuvants. However, STING resides inside the cell, and the intracellular delivery of CDNs, such as cGAMP, is required for the optimal activation of STING.

A robust microparticle platform for a STING-targeted adjuvant that enhances both humoral and cellular immunity during vaccination.

Most FDA-approved adjuvants for infectious agents boost humoral but not cellular immunity, and have poorly-understood mechanisms. Stimulator of interferon genes (STING, also known as MITA, MPYS, or ERIS) is an exciting adjuvant target due to its role in cyclic dinucleotide (CDN)-driven anti-viral immunity; however, a major hindrance is STING's cytosolic localization which requires intracellular delivery of its agonists. As a result, STING agonists administered in a soluble form have elicited suboptimal immune responses.