Thermoreversible poly(ethylene glycol)-g-chitosan hydrogel as a therapeutic T lymphocyte depot for localized glioblastoma immunotherapy.

The outcome for glioblastoma patients remains dismal for its invariably recrudesces within 2 cm of the resection cavity. Local immunotherapy has the potential to eradicate the residual infiltrative component of these tumors. Here, we report the development of a biodegradable hydrogel containing therapeutic T lymphocytes for localized delivery to glioblastoma cells for brain tumor immunotherapy. Thermoreversible poly(ethylene glycol)-g-chitosan hydrogels (PCgels) were optimized for steady T lymphocyte release. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy confirmed the chemical structure of poly(ethylene glycol)-g-chitosan, and rheological studies revealed that the sol-to-gel transition of the PCgel occurred around ≥32 °C. T lymphocyte invasion through the PCgel and subsequent cytotoxicity to glioblastoma were assessed in vitro. The PCgel was shown to be cellular compatible with T lymphocytes, and the T lymphocytes retain their anti-glioblastoma activity after being encapsulated in the PCgel. T lymphocytes in th...