A dual-functional in situ hydrogel for delivering vitamin E–based lipid nanoparticles to enhance cancer immunotherapy

Abstract

Conventional mRNA lipid nanoparticles often fail to elicit robust antitumor immunity due to their limited capacity to overcome the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Rational design of ionizable lipids with intrinsic bioactivity presents a promising strategy to enhance mRNA-based cancer immunotherapy. Here, we synthesized a bioactive vitamin E–based ionizable lipid to formulate lipid nanoparticles co-loaded with IL-12 mRNA and the IDO1 inhibitor NLG919 (N@VEBLNP), which were subsequently embedded into polyether F127-diacrylate hydrogel (NVF Gel). This hydrogel enables thermosensitive gelation for intratumoral injection and photocrosslinkable curing for postoperative site retention in the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Specifically, NVF Gel exerted a dual immunomodulatory function: sustained release of N@VEBLNPs activated migratory cDC1s and augmented antigen presentation in tumor-draining lymph nodes, while concomitant release of NLG919 inhibited IDO1 expression, reduced regulatory T cells, and reprogrammed M2 macrophages toward the M1 phenotype. In 4T1 murine models, NVF Gel transformed the tumor environment into a more “immune-hot” state, effectively suppressed tumor growth and delayed postoperative recurrence. Collectively, NVF Gel provides a versatile platform for in situ cancer immunization and tumor microenvironment modulation.