Fig. 6.
Model of differential T cell stimulation following NP-mediated TAA delivery. DC loaded with sub-optimal antigen forms (such as soluble tumor lysate- left panel) result in T cell stimulation reactions which lead to anergy or tolerance, and are unable to overcome negative signals in the tumor micro-environment. NP-mediated delivery of Ag, in contrast, leads to DC activation and production of pro-inflammatory/Th1 cytokines which can activate quiescent or tolerized anti-tumor T cells (right panel), potentially overcoming tumor tolerance. NPL-mediated Ag delivery would therefore represent an new and promising methodology for increasing the potency of DC-based anti-tumor vaccination schema in ovarian cancer.
