Low migratory dendritic cell (DC) levels pose a challenge in cancer immune surveillance, yet their impact on tumor immune status and immunotherapy responses remains unclear. We present clinical evidence linking reduced migratory DC levels to immune-cold tumor status, resulting in poor patient outcomes. To address this, we develop an autologous DC-based nanovaccination strategy using patient-derived organoid or cancer cell lysate-pulsed cationic nanoparticles (cNPs) to load immunogenic DC-derived microvesicles (cNPcancer cell@MVDC). This approach transforms immune-cold tumors, increases migratory DCs, activates T cells and natural killer cells, reduces tumor growth, and enhances survival in orthotopic pancreatic and lung cancer models, surpassing conventional methods. In vivo imaging reveals superior cNPcancer cell@MVDC accumulation in tumors and lymph nodes, promoting immune cell infiltration. Mechanistically, cNPs enrich mitochondrial DNA, enhancing cGAS-STING-mediated DC activation and migration. Our strategy shifts cold tumors to a hot state, enhancing antitumor immunity for potential personalized cancer treatments.
Keywords: cGAS; dendritic cells; microvesicles; mitochondrial DNA; pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas.
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