We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
INTEGRA BIOSCIENCES AG

Download Mobile App




Light-Enhanced Microneedle Vaccine Prevents Melanoma Development

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 20 Nov 2017
Print article
Image: Melanin protein (light refracting granular material at the center of the photomicrograph) in a pigmented melanoma (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons).
Image: Melanin protein (light refracting granular material at the center of the photomicrograph) in a pigmented melanoma (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons).
A novel immunotherapeutic vaccine prevented the development of skin cancer in a mouse model by exploiting the ability of the protein melanin to transform light energy into heat.

Melanin is capable of transforming 99.9% of the absorbed sunlight energy into heat, which reduces the risk of skin cancer. In order to exploit this property, investigators at the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill, USA) developed a melanin-mediated cancer immunotherapy strategy using a transdermal microneedle patch. A whole cell lysate prepared from cells of the B16F10 melanoma was augmented with melanin, and this mixture was loaded into polymeric microneedles that allowed sustained release of the lysate upon insertion into the skin.

The investigators used near-infrared light (IR) irradiation to induce the melanin in the patch to generate heat, which promoted tumor-antigen uptake by dendritic cells, and led to enhanced antitumor vaccination.

In a paper published in the November 10, 2017, online edition of the journal Science Immunology, the investigators reported that they divided a population of mice into three groups: one group was treated with the patch and was exposed to IR light; one group was treated with the patch, but was not exposed to IR light; and one group was treated with a patch that did not contain the cell lysate-melanin mixture. Ten days after initiation of the patch treatment, the mice were injected with active melanoma cells. Within one month, all of the mice that had received the empty patch died from melanoma. The lysate patch without exposure to near IR light was only slightly protective and only 13% of the mice survived. In contrast, 100% of the mice that had been treated with the active lysate patch and IR light survived after two months, and no tumors were detected in 87% of the animals. The enhanced results generated by exposure to IR light was attributed to local heating that caused formation of a fever-like environment in the skin, which promoted release of lysate from the microneedles, effectively attracting and activating immune cells.

"Melanin is a natural pigment that can efficiently transform absorbed sunlight energy into heat," said senior author Dr. Zhen Gu, professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina. "We demonstrated that melanin, which is found at high levels in melanoma, can actually be used to help treat melanoma. We do this by shining near infrared (IR) light on a therapeutic skin patch, which promotes the systemic immune response that fights cancer. These results are encouraging, but we are in the early stages of development. The next step would be a large animal study to further evaluate the safety and efficacy of the technique. And while it is much too early to estimate cost, we think that the treatment could be scaled up and would be affordable."

Related Links:
University of North Carolina

Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
HLX
Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Test
GPP-100 Anti-CCP Kit
New
Gold Member
Fully Automated Cell Density/Viability Analyzer
BioProfile FAST CDV

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)

POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection

Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: MOF materials efficiently enrich cfDNA and cfRNA in blood through simple operational process (Photo courtesy of Science China Press)

Blood Circulating Nucleic Acid Enrichment Technique Enables Non-Invasive Liver Cancer Diagnosis

The ability to diagnose diseases early can significantly enhance the effectiveness of clinical treatments and improve survival rates. One promising approach for non-invasive early diagnosis is the use... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The low-cost portable device rapidly identifies chemotherapy patients at risk of sepsis (Photo courtesy of 52North Health)

POC Finger-Prick Blood Test Determines Risk of Neutropenic Sepsis in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Neutropenia, a decrease in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell crucial for fighting infections), is a frequent side effect of certain cancer treatments. This condition elevates the risk of infections,... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: The OvaCis Rapid Test discriminates benign from malignant epithelial ovarian cysts (Photo courtesy of INEX)

Intra-Operative POC Device Distinguishes Between Benign and Malignant Ovarian Cysts within 15 Minutes

Ovarian cysts represent a significant health issue for women globally, with up to 10% experiencing this condition at some point in their lives. These cysts form when fluid collects within a thin membrane... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.