Citation: Yilei Zhao, Guoxin Zhu, Xuechun Wang, Zilin Ma, Jie Yan, Songyan Li, Wen Zhao, Qingbin He, Jianwei Jiao, Guiqiang Zhang. In situ carrier-free nanovaccines reversing the immunosuppressive microenvironment for boosting tumor immunotherapy[J]. Chinese Chemical Letters, ;2026, 37(2): 111031. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111031 shu

In situ carrier-free nanovaccines reversing the immunosuppressive microenvironment for boosting tumor immunotherapy

Yilei Zhao ^a ,
Guoxin Zhu ^a ,
Xuechun Wang ^a ,
Zilin Ma ^a ,
Jie Yan ^a ,
Songyan Li ^a ,
Wen Zhao ^a ,
Qingbin He ^{a, *,} ,
Jianwei Jiao ^{b, *,} ,
Guiqiang Zhang ^{a, *,}

a.
Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, School of Clinical and Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Ji’nan 250117, China
b.
State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China

highqb1993@163.com

jwjiao@ioz.ac.cn

gqzhang2018@163.com

Received Date: 12 December 2024
Revised Date: 25 February 2025
Accepted Date: 3 March 2025
Available Online: 3 March 2025

Figures(6)

In situ tumor vaccines, which leverage the antigenic profile of individual tumors, have demonstrated significant potential in tumor immunotherapy. However, their efficacy is often limited by the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) and insufficient tumor targeting. To address these challenges, we engineered in situ nanovaccines through the self-assembly of the photosensitizer indocyanine green, immune adjuvant aluminum (Al³⁺), and hydrophilic drug zoledronic acid (ZOL). Intravenous injection of these nanovaccines led to efficient tumor accumulation, enhancing drug bioavailability and enabling the release of tumor-associated antigens via photothermal therapy. Additionally, the built-in ZOL induces polarization of tumor-associated macrophages, reversing the immunosuppressive TME. The potent antitumor immune response triggered by these nanovaccines effectively suppresses tumor growth. This study, which integrates a straightforward assembly method, substantial drug loading capacity, and promising therapeutic outcomes, introduces a novel and effective paradigm for carrier-free in situ nanovaccines in cancer treatment.
- In situ vaccines,
- Immunosuppressive microenvironment,
- Self-assembly,
- Photothermal therapy,
- Macrophage polarization
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