AUTHOR=Deng Zhuoya , Yang Hao , Tian Yuying , Liu Zherui , Sun Fang , Yang Penghui 

TITLE=An OX40L mRNA vaccine inhibits the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Oncology

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2022.975408

DOI=10.3389/fonc.2022.975408

ISSN=2234-943X

ABSTRACT=<p>mRNA cancer vaccines show therapeutic potential for malignant tumors, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We optimized and synthesized stable mRNA encoding costimulator Oxford 40 ligand (OX40L). For systemic delivery, OX40L mRNAs were loaded into lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). The expression and costimulatory effects of OX40L were investigated <italic>in vitro</italic>. OX40L was expressed on the cell surface and costimulated T cells. <italic>In vivo</italic>, intratumoral injection of LNPs encapsulating OX40L mRNAs significantly reduced tumor growth and increased the survival of mice bearing H22 tumors. Importantly, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were significantly increased in the OX40L mRNA group <italic>in vivo</italic>. Taken together, our findings provide a promising clinical strategy for immunotherapy for HCC using mRNA vaccines.</p>