Bencherif, SidiSands, R. WarrenAli, OmarLi, WeiweiLewin, SarahBraschler, ThomasTing-Y.S. ShihVerbeke, CatiaBhatta, DeenDranoff, GlennMooney, David2019-10-112015Bencherif, Sidi A., R. Warren Sands, Omar A. Ali, Weiwei A. Li, Sarah A. Lewin, Thomas M. Braschler, Ting-Yu Shih, et al. 2015. “Injectable Cryogel-Based Whole-Cell Cancer Vaccines.” Nature Communications6 (1): 7556. https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms8556.2041-1723http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:41534545A biomaterial-based vaccination system that uses minimal extracorporeal manipulation could provide in situ enhancement of dendritic cell (DC) numbers, a physical space where DCs interface with transplanted tumour cells, and an immunogenic context. Here we encapsulate GM-CSF, serving as a DC enhancement factor, and CpG ODN, serving as a DC activating factor, into sponge-like macroporous cryogels. These cryogels are injected subcutaneously into mice to localize transplanted tumour cells and deliver immunomodulatory factors in a controlled spatio-temporal manner. These vaccines elicit local infiltrates composed of conventional and plasmacytoid DCs, with the subsequent induction of potent, durable and specific anti-tumour T-cell responses in a melanoma model. These cryogels can be delivered in a minimally invasive manner, bypass the need for genetic modification of transplanted cancer cells and provide sustained release of immunomodulators. Altogether, these findings indicate the potential for cryogels to serve as a platform for cancer cell vaccinations.en-USJournal Article2019-10-1110.1038/ncomms8556