An optically responsive cancer vaccine for inducing robust anti-tumor immunity by apoptotic body carrying nanoadjuvants

A cancer vaccine based on nano-adjuvant fusion represents an effective strategy for anti-tumor immunity. Compared with other cancer vaccine formulations, the ones based on apoptotic bodies not only possess higher load-bearing capacity and biosafety, but also present greater clinical translational potential. In this study, we developed an optically responsive cancer vaccine that induced robust anti-tumor immunity by encapsulating genipin-crosslinked nano-adjuvants in tumor cell apoptotic bodies. The vaccine may potentially be used for prophylactic or therapeutic purposes. As an antigen source and a cargo vehicle, apoptotic bodies can co-deliver antigens and adjuvants simultaneously to antigen-presenting cells to activate T cells. Nano-adjuvants promote the targeted delivery of adjuvants for effective immune responses. Genipin-crosslinked nano-adjuvants enable visual tracking of the tumor vaccine. In addition, the photothermal properties of genipin-crosslinked nano-adjuvants promote lysosomal escape of tumor antigens to enhance cross-presentation. These characteristics enable visualization and controllability of cancer vaccines, thereby avoiding the need for exogenous photosensitive reagents. Apoptotic body-based vaccines can be used to prevent or treat tumors by triggering a strong systemic immune response by promoting T-cell infiltration and improving the tumor immune microenvironment.