Immunization with nanovaccines containing mutated K-Ras peptides and imiquimod aggravates heterotopic pancreatic cancer induced in mice

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2023

Authors

Martinez Perez, A (Author) Other; Diego Gonzalez, L (Author) Other; Manuel Vilanova (Author) ICBAS; Alexandra Correia (Author) ICBAS; Simon Vazquez, R (Author) Other; Gonzalez Fernandez, A (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Frontiers In Immunology

Vol. 14

ISSN: 1664-3224

Publisher: Frontiers Media

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00Y-D9B

DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1153724

Abstract (EN): PurposeThe growing incidence and lethality of pancreatic cancer urges the development of new therapeutic approaches. Anti-tumoral vaccines can potentiate the immune response against the tumor, targeting specific antigens expressed only on tumor cells. In this work, we designed new vaccines for pancreatic cancer, composed by chitosan nanocapsules (CS NCs) containing imiquimod (IMQ) as adjuvant, and targeting the K-Ras mutation G12V. Experimental designWe tested the immunogenicity of our vaccines in mice, carrying different combinations of K-Ras mutated peptides. Then, we analyzed their prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy in mice bearing heterotopic pancreatic cancer. ResultsUnexpectedly, although good results were observed at short time points, the different combinations of our CS NCs vaccines seemed to potentiate tumor growth and reduce survival rate. We propose that this effect could be due to an inadequate immune response, partially because of the induction of a regulatory tolerogenic response. ConclusionOur results call for caution in the use of some NCs containing IMQ in the immunotherapy against pancreatic cancer.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 14