Liposomal phytohemagglutinin: In vivo T‐cell activator as a novel pan‐cancer immunotherapy |
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| Authors: | Kinan Alhallak Jennifer Sun Barbara Muz Amanda Jeske Julie O&#x;Neal Julie K Ritchey Samuel Achilefu John F DiPersio Abdel Kareem Azab |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis Missouri, USA ; 2. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis Missouri, USA ; 3. Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis Missouri, USA ; 4. Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis Missouri, USA |
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| Abstract: | Immunotherapy is an attractive approach for treating cancer. T‐cell engagers (TCEs) are a type of immunotherapy that are highly efficacious; however, they are challenged by weak T‐cell activation and short persistence. Therefore, alternative solutions to induce greater activation and persistence of T cells during TCE immunotherapy is needed. Methods to activate T cells include the use of lectins, such as phytohemagglutinin (PHA). PHA has not been used to activate T cells in vivo, for immunotherapy, due to its biological instability and toxicity. An approach to overcome the limitations of PHA while also preserving its function is needed. In this study, we report a liposomal PHA which increased PHA stability, reduced toxicity and performed as an immunotherapeutic that is able to activate T cells for the use in future cancer immunotherapies to circumvent current obstacles in immunosuppression and T‐cell exhaustion. |
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| Keywords: | immunotherapy nanoparticles T‐ cell activation |
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