Imiquimod-Loaded Phospholipid-Free Small Unilamellar Vesicles Activate the Tumor Immune Microenvironment to Treat Liver Cancer and Liver Metastases.

ABSTRACT: Liver cancers are often diagnosed at advanced stages and are the fourth leading cause of cancer death globally. Liver metastases, particularly from colorectal cancer, occur in 66% of patients. Immunotherapies for these cancers are limited by immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments. To address this, phospholipid-free small unilamellar vesicles (PFSUV) are developed to deliver the toll-like receptor 7 agonist Imiquimod (IMQ) to hepatocytes. PFSUV consists of 83 mol% cholesterol and 17 mol% Tween80, with IMQ encapsulated in these 75-nm particles. Intravenous administration of PFSUV-IMQ sustained liver IFN-α levels over 24 h while reducing systemic exposure. In a CT26 liver metastasis model, PFSUV-IMQ combined with Oxaliplatin reduced tumor size, increased CD8+ T cell infiltration, and enhan

SUBMITTER: Chan V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12391647 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature