PLGA from PolySciTech used in development of canine cancer vaccine

 

With the appropriate presentation of markers and adjuvents it is possible to induce the bodily immune systems to recognize cancer as non-selve and attack it. This immunotherapy approach can potentially allow for prevention or treatment of cancer. Recently, researchers at Washington State University used PLGA (AP054) from PolySciTech (www.polyscitech.com) to create PLGA nanoparticles loaded with antigens from lysed cancer cells. This research holds promise to improve therapies against cancer in many species. Read more: Eren, Meaghan Veronica, Julianne Hwang, Janean Fidel, Rance Sellon, and Cleverson de Souza. "Preliminary Evaluation of an Autologous Dendritic Cell Vaccine Using Nanoparticle Technology for the Treatment of Canine Malignant Melanoma." American Journal of Biomedical and Life Sciences 9, no. 1 (2021): 84-96. http://www.biomedlife.org/article/655/10.11648.j.ajbls.20210901.21)

“Abstract: Canine malignant melanoma is an aggressive neoplasm that carries a poor prognosis due to its minimal responsiveness to traditional therapy protocols, particularly if the oral cavity, mucocutaneous junctions, or subungual sites are involved. This proof-of-concept study evaluated a prototype autologous dendritic cell vaccine using poly-lactic-co-glycolic (PLGA) nanoparticles containing antigens from patient-derived whole tumor lysate and the adjuvant monophosphoryl lipid A in five canines with stages III-IV malignant melanoma. Nanoparticle constructs biochemical characterization; encapsulation efficiency and kinetic release studies were determined. Our results showed that tumor antigens were successfully incorporated in the PLGA/monophosphoryl lipid A nanoparticle constructs. Additional in vitro experiments showed that the PLGA/monophosphoryl lipid A nanoparticle constructs effectively activated autologous dendritic cells, and generated a greater than twofold increase in the release of the pro-immune cytokine IFN-γ. No significant adverse effects were observed in any of the patients following intradermal vaccination, and flow cytometry of whole blood revealed increased CD4:CD8 T lymphocyte ratios by the completion of the study. These results suggest that a dendritic cell vaccine utilizing PLGA/monophosphoryl lipid A nanoparticle technology could potentially initiate an adaptive immune response and is safe to administer to canine patients. Further in vivo studies with a larger cohort of patients are warranted. Keywords Melanoma, Nanoparticles, Dendritic Cells, Adaptive Immunity, Cancer Vaccine”