Multivalent bi-specific nanobioconjugate engager for targeted cancer immunotherapy

Tumour-targeted immunotherapy offers the unique advantage of specific tumouricidal effects with reduced immune-associated toxicity(1,2). However, existing platforms suffer from low potency, inability to generate long-term immune memory and decreased activities against tumour-cell subpopulations with low targeting receptor levels(3-5). Here we adopted a modular design approach that uses colloidal nanoparticles as substrates to create a multivalent bi-specific nanobioconjugate engager (mBiNE) to promote selective, immune-mediated eradication of cancer cells. By simultaneously targeting the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expressed by cancer cells(6) and pro-phagocytosis signalling mediated by calreticulin(7), the mBiNE stimulated HER2-targeted phagocytosis and produced durable antitumour immune responses against HER2-expressing tumours. Interestingly, although the initial immune activation mediated by the mBiNE was receptor dependent, the subsequent antitumour immunity also generated protective effects against tumour-cell populations that lacked the HER2 receptor. Thus, the mBiNE represents a new targeted, nanomaterial-immunotherapy platform to stimulate innate and adaptive immunity and promote a universal antitumour response.