Controlled Delivery of C-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 25 by a Hydrogel for Tumor Microenvironment Remodeling in Triple Negative Breast Cancer.

Abstract

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), characterized by its heterogeneity and poor clinical prognosis, presents substantial unmet medical needs. Although exciting progress has been made in immunotherapy for TNBC, optimizing the composition of immune cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME) remains a critical challenge. In this study, we demonstrate that CCL25-transduced tumor cells significantly enhance the accumulation of CCR9⁺CD8⁺T cells within tumors, translating into inhibited TNBC tumor growth in vivo. To further exploit this mechanism, we developed an injectable, thermo-responsive hydrogel loaded with CCL25 for intratumoral delivery, aimed at recruiting CCR9⁺ cells into the TME. Our results revealed that the influence of CCL25 on the TME is both dose- and time-dependent, mediated through the precise regulation of CCR9⁺ cells infiltration into tumor tissues. Furthermore, CCL25-loaded hydrogel, when administered at an appropriate dose and timing, could enhance the therapeutic response to PD-1 inhibitors, credited to the activation of a T cell-dependent antitumor immunity. This innovative approach not only provides deeper insights into the role of the chemokine system in tumor biology but also suggests a promising strategy for enhancing the efficacy of TNBC immunotherapy. The potential of hydrogel-based chemokine delivery systems to remodel the TME could have significant implications for future cancer treatment. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: In our study, we developed a thermo-responsive injectable hydrogel for intratumoral delivery of CCL25. Our findings demonstrate that CCL25@gel promotes the infiltration of CCR9⁺CD8⁺T cells into the tumor microenvironment in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Notably, at an optimal dose and administration schedule, CCL25@gel significantly enhances the therapeutic response to PD-1 inhibitors, thereby improving the efficacy of immunotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). These results highlight the potential of CCL25 in modulating the immune landscape of the tumor microenvironment and emphasize the importance of optimizing key delivery parameters-dose, timing, and frequency-to maximize therapeutic benefits. Moreover, this work provides valuable insights into chemokine-based immunotherapy for TNBC, offering new avenues for more effective treatment strategies.