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  • Inspired Epigenetic Modulat...
    Xiong, Honggang; Ma, Xianbin; Wang, Xiaolong; Su, Wen; Wu, Lei; Zhang, Tian; Xu, Zhigang; Sun, Zhi‐Jun

    Advanced functional materials, 05/2021, Volume: 31, Issue: 20
    Journal Article

    Overcoming innate or adaptive resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy in solid tumors with limited T‐cell responses remains challenging. Increasing evidence has indicated that epigenetic alterations, especially overexpression of DNA methyltransferase and immunosuppressive adenosine, are major obstacles to T cell activation. Here, a tumor microenvironment (TME) inspired prodrug nanomicelle (AOZN) composed of the epigenetic modulator γ‐oryzanol (Orz), the adenosine inhibitor α, β‐methylene adenosine 5′ diphosphate (AMPCP), and GSH‐activable crosslinker, is rationally designed. High glutathione redox triggers Orz and AMPCP release in the TME. The released Orz act as a DNA methyltransferases inhibitor to upregulate gasdermin D (GSDMD) expression and AMPCP converted procaspase‐1 into active caspase‐1 by increasing ATP levels. Active caspase‐1 elicited GSDMD cleavage and induced pyroptosis in tumor cells. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that Orz and AMPCP likely have a synergistic effect in combating the immunosuppressive TME. Moreover, Orz enhances programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) expression and sensitize tumors to anti‐PD‐L1 therapy. Thus, the AOZNs nano‐formulation drastically improves the hydrophobic properties of Orz with advantages of safe, affordable, readily available, and efficiency in regressing tumor growth, enhancing PD‐L1 responsive rate and prolonging survival of the B16F10 melanoma‐bearing mouse model. As a result, AOZNs provides a promising strategy for enhancing cancer immunotherapy. A GSH‐activable prodrug nanomicelle that can deliver natural epigenetic agent γ‐oryzanol and adenosine inhibitor AMPCP to the tumor for potentiating cancer immunotherapy is developed. The prodrug nanomicelle can enhance immunogenicity and immunogenic pyroptosis in tumor cells and reverses the immuosuppresive tumor microenvironment.