Enhanced anti-tumor immunotherapy by silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles conjugated with ovalbumin

Background: The effective induction of an antigen-specific T cell immune response through dendritic cell activation is one of the key goals of tumor immunotherapy. Methods: In this study, efficient antigen-delivery carriers using silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles were designed and, their antigen-specific T cell immune response through dendritic cell activation investigated. Results: The results showed that the silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles with conjugated ovalbumin enhanced the production of cytokines and antigen uptake in bone marrow-derived dendritic cells. Also, this induced an antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) immune response and activated antigen-specific Th1 cell responses, including IL-2 and IFN-gamma production and proliferation. We proved that the immune-stimulatory effects of silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles with conjugated ovalbumin were efficient in inhibiting of tumor growth in EG7-OVA (mouse lymphoma-expressing ovalbumin tumor-bearing mice model). Conclusion: Therefore, the silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles with conjugated ovalbumin are expected to be useful as efficient anti-cancer immunotherapy agents.