Combined mRNA treatment boosts targeted T cell response for cancer immunotherapy

Administration of a modular mRNA cocktail led to robust anti-tumor immune responses and activation of tumor antigen-specific CD8⁺ T cells.

• The mRNA cocktail included three distinct mRNAs encoding tumor antigens, the co-stimulatory molecule CD80, and membrane-tethered IL-2.
• Synergistic activation of tumor antigen-specific CD8⁺ T cells was observed following treatment.
• Substituting IL-2 with membrane-tethered IL-12 resulted in the expansion and differentiation of Th1 helper T cells in vivo.
• The platform successfully activated NY-ESO-1-specific CD8⁺ T cells in HLA-A*02:01-transgenic mice.
• This approach may enhance precision cancer immunotherapy by coordinating activation of both CD8⁺ and CD4⁺ T cell responses.

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