Complex cancer immunotherapy with c-di-GMP loaded lipid nanoparticles and anti-PD-1 antibody

Abstract

While immune checkpoint therapy has brought forth a new, revolutionary kind of cancer therapy, current evidence suggests only a minority of patients will benefit from it. Researchers are working towards widening clinical response by, for example, combining it with other types of therapy. Nakamura feels that in the near future, precision combination immunotherapy will be performed based on analyses of tumour microenvironments (TME) of patients and their immune status. His innovation, the nanotechnology-based drug-delivery system (nano DDS) will be fundamental technology for carrying it out. The nano DDS technology has the potential to make a significant contribution to the success of cancer immunotherapy. Nano DDS has the ability to protect tumour antigens, easily degradable proteins or peptides that aid the TME in fighting off cancer cells. They have the ability to work with other immune checkpoint therapies to augment cancer treatments. Thus far, Nakamura has been able to work with other researchers, reagent companies and pharmaceutical companies. Many of the individuals he works with are clinicians, however the reagent and pharmaceutical companies have been important partners in enhancing nano DDS’s practical application. Most recently, Nakamura has been working on two new projects contributing to advancements in cancer treatment using immunotherapy. One using simulator of interferon genes (STING) ligand-loaded lipid nanoparticles (LNP) and another using small interfering (siRNA)-loaded LNP. Both allow the body to heal tumours on its own.