Development of a nanoparticle-based immunotherapy targeting CD137 for nasopharyngeal carcinoma treatment.

ABSTRACT: CD137 is a powerful T cell costimulatory molecule, and CD137 agonists are being evaluated for human cancer immunotherapy. Urelumab and utomilumab, are two agonistic anti-CD137 antibodies that are most advanced in clinical trials but suffer from liver toxicity and low potency, respectively. Here we describe the development of a new type and formulation of a CD137 agonist that combines high potency and a strong safety profile. Methods: The extracellular domain of recombinant human CD137 ligand (rhCD137L) was conjugated onto mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) of approximately 50 nm in diameter, and the ratio of rhCD137L to MSNs was optimized based on their ability to costimulate the cytotoxic activity of T cells. As nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells often express CD137, the i

SUBMITTER: Lee KY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12665109 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature