Site-specific nanoswitch circumventing immune resistance via activating TLR and inhibiting PD-L1/PD-1 axis

Immunotherapy has fundamentally altered cancer treatment; however, its effectiveness is clinically hampered by insufficient intratumoral T lymphocyte infiltration and failed T lymphocyte priming. Additionally, inducing cancer-specific immune responses while sparing normal cells remains challenging. Herein, we developed a redoxactivatable polymeric nanoswitch (c-N@IM/JQ) that remained 'off' status in circulation but rapidly switched 'on' after entering the tumor. Toll-like receptor (TLR) 7/8 agonist (imidazoquinoline, IMQ) and bromodomain and extraterminal inhibitor (JQ1) are locked in c-N@IM/JQ with a redox-cleavable linker (switch off). Upon systemic administration, c-N@IM/JQ with c-RGD peptide modification preferentially accumulated at tumor sites and responded to the high glutathione levels to release native IMQ for fully mobilizing T lymphocyte army, and JQ1 for removing the programmed death ligand (PD-L)-1 protection on tumor cells (switch on). These strengthened T lymphocyte armies are easily accessible to these de-protected tumor cells, revitalizing the immune response against tumors.

Automated summary

The researchers developed a redox-activatable polymeric nanoswitch that can switch on after entering the tumor, enhancing the infiltration of T lymphocytes and priming of T lymphocytes for cancer treatment. The nanoswitch releases immune agonists and inhibitors to strengthen the immune response against tumors.