Boosting antitumor response with PSMA-targeted immunomodulatory VLPs, harboring costimulatory TNFSF ligands and GM-CSF cytokine.

Therapeutic strategies based on immunomodulation have improved cancer therapy. Most approaches target co-stimulatory pathways or the inhibition of immunosuppressive mechanisms, to enhance immune response and overcome the immune tolerance of tumors. Here, we propose a novel platform to deliver targeted immunomodulatory signaling, enhancing antitumor response.

Boosting Antitumor Response by Costimulatory Strategies Driven to 4-1BB and OX40 T-cell Receptors.

Immunotherapy explores several strategies to enhance the host immune system's ability to detect and eliminate cancer cells. The use of antibodies that block immunological checkpoints, such as anti-programed death 1/programed death 1 ligand and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4, is widely recognized to generate a long-lasting antitumor immune response in several types of cancer. Evidence indicates that the elimination of tumors by T cells is the key for tumor control.

Shielding and stealth effects of zwitterion moieties in double-functionalized silica nanoparticles.

Surface functionalization of silica nanoparticles (SiONPs) has been considered as a promising strategy to develop target-specific nanostructures. However, finding a chemical functionalization that can be used as an active targeting moiety while preserving the nanoparticles colloidal stability in biological fluids is still challenging. We present here a dual surface modification strategy for SiONPs where a zwitterion (ZW) and a biologically active group (BAG) (amino, mercapto or carboxylic functionalities) are simultaneously grafted on the nanoparticles' surface.