Figure 7.

Sustained delivery of CD40a via PNP hydrogel increases effector cytokine levels in the tumor draining lymph node. Lymph nodes were collected from mice 3 days after treatment for cytokine analysis by Luminex. Hydrogel delivery of CD40a led to elevated levels of the pro‐inflammatory cytokine IFNγ and the associated CXCL10 chemokine. A) IFNγ levels with linear regression indicating a significant change in the dose‐response slope associated with administration method. B) CXCL10 levels with linear regression indicating a significant change in the elevation of the dose‐response curve associated with administration method. Compared to systemic routes, locoregional delivery elevated levels of immunostimulatory cytokines C) TNFα, D) IL15, E) IL18, and F) IL22. Similarly, locoregional delivery enhanced levels of the chemokines G) MCP3 and H) GMCSF. Dotted line indicates mean value corresponding to the 5 µg systemic dose (maximum tolerated systemic dose). N = 5 for all groups, data represented as mean and SEM. Statistically significant differences from the MTD systemic dose were assessed using a regression model, and multiple testing error was controlled using the FDR approach (Q = 5%). * denotes a FDR‐adjusted significant difference (p < 0.05). Statistical comparison of slope and intercept performed using built‐in analysis in the linear regression functionality of GraphPad Prism.