Translocator protein-targeted photodynamic therapy for direct and abscopal immunogenic cell death in colorectal cancer

Abscopal effect is an attractive cancer therapeutic effect referring to tumor regression at a location dis -tant from the primary treatment site. Immunogenic cell death (ICD) offers a mechanistic link between the primary and remote therapeutic effects by activating favorable anti-tumor immune responses. In this study, we induced ICD in colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines in vitro and in vivo by targeting the 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO), a mitochondrial receptor overexpressed in CRC. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) using a TSPO-targeted photosensitizer, IR700DX-6T, caused effective apoptotic cell death in fourteen CRC cell lines. In a syngeneic immunocompetent CRC mouse model, the growth of tumors subjected to TSPO-PDT was greatly suppressed. Remarkably, untreated tumors in the opposing flank also showed marked growth suppression. Dendritic and CD8(+) T cells were activated after TSPO-PDT treatment, accompanied by decreased Treg cells in both treated and non-treated tumors. In addition, a cancer vaccine developed from TSPO-PDT produced a significant tumor inhibition effect. These results indicate that TSPO-PDT could not only directly suppress tumor growth but also dramatically provoke host anti-tumor immunity, high-lighting the potential of TSPO-PDT as a successful therapeutic for CRC that exhibits systemic effects. Statement of significance Abscopal effect is an attractive cancer therapeutic effect referring to tumor regression at a location dis -tant from the primary treatment site. Immunogenic cell death (ICD) offers a mechanistic link between the primary and remote therapeutic effects by activating favorable anti-tumor immune responses. In this study, we report a new therapeutic approach that can reduce the growth of multiple CRC cell lines by in-ducing ICD. Notably, a direct and abscopal effect was observed in mouse tumor-derived MC38 cells when injected into syngeneic immunocompetent mice. If comparable effects could be achieved in humans, it would establish a novel paradigm for treating micro-and macro-metastasis. (c) 2021 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates the potential of TSPO-PDT as a successful therapeutic for CRC, with direct tumor growth suppression and the provocation of host anti-tumor immunity. The abscopal effect was observed in untreated tumors, highlighting the systemic effects of TSPO-PDT.