Local Release of Highly Loaded Antibodies from Functionalized Nanoporous Support for Cancer Immunotherapy

Abstract

We report that antibodies can be spontaneously loaded in functionalized mesoporous silica (FMS) with superhigh density (0.4-0.8 mg of antibody/mg of FMS) due to their comprehensive noncovalent interaction. The superhigh loading density and noncovalent interaction between FMS and antibodies allow long-lasting local release of the immunoregulatory molecules from FMS under physiological conditions. Preliminary data indicate that FMS-anti-CTLA4 antibody injected directly into a mouse melanoma induces much greater and extended inhibition of tumor growth than the antibody given systemically. Our findings open up a novel approach for local delivery of therapeutically active proteins to tumors and, potentially, other diseases.