A biomimetic antitumor nanovaccine based on biocompatible calcium pyrophosphate and tumor cell membrane antigens

Abstract Currently, the cancer immunotherapy has made great progress while antitumor vaccine attracts substantial attention. Still, the selection of adjuvants as well as antigens are always the most crucial issues for better vaccination. In this study, we proposed a biomimetic antitumor nanovaccine based on biocompatible nanocarriers and tumor cell membrane antigens. Briefly, endogenous calcium pyrophosphate nanogranules with possible immune potentiating effect are designed and engineered, both as delivery vehicles and adjuvants. Then, these nanocarriers are coated with lipids and B16-OVA tumor cell membranes, so the biomembrane proteins can serve as tumor-specific antigens. It was found that calcium pyrophosphate nanogranules themselves were compatible and possessed adjuvant effect, while membrane proteins including tumor associated antigen were transferred onto the nanocarriers. It was demonstrated that such a biomimetic nanovaccine could be well endocytosed by dendritic cells, promote their maturation and antigen-presentation, facilitate lymph retention, and trigger obvious immune response. It was confirmed that the biomimetic vaccine could induce strong T-cell response, exhibit excellent tumor therapy and prophylactic effects, and simultaneously possess nice biocompatibility. In general, the present investigation might provide insights for the further design and application of antitumor vaccines.