Safety and efficacy of KRAS antisense oligonucleotides and RIG-I agonists delivered by extracellular vesicles for pancreatic cancer peritoneal metastasis treatment

Abstract

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) often metastasizes to the peritoneum and is highly resistant to treatments due to its immunosuppressive microenvironment. In this study, we evaluate the safety and efficacy of a novel therapeutic strategy that combines KRAS-targeting antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) with immunomodulatory RNA (immRNA), a RIG-I agonist, both delivered by extracellular vesicles (EVs), in preclinical models using PDAC patient-derived organoids and mice bearing PDAC peritoneal metastasis. Our data demonstrate that the combination of KRAS ASO and immRNA synergistically activates anti-tumor immune responses. EV-mediated co-delivery of both agents significantly inhibits tumor growth, reduces peritoneal metastasis, and markedly prolongs overall survival through the induction of immunologic cancer cell death. Importantly, this combination therapy is well-tolerated in non-human primates, with no observable changes in physical condition or behavior, blood parameters, or organ histology. These findings suggest that EV-delivered KRAS ASO and immRNA is a safe and potent therapeutic approach for treating PDAC and its peritoneal metastasis, positioning it as a promising strategy for future clinical advancement.