Project Outline: Development of a microneedle patch to deliver a therapeutic cancer vaccine for human papilloma-induced cancers
Introduction
The human papilloma virus (HPV) causes a host of cancers in humans, including cancers of the genital tract and oropharyngeal cancers. In fact, HPV is responsible for 99% of cervical cancers. These cancers are primarily endemic in low- or middle-income countries (LMICs) which may not have preventative HPV vaccination programs in place. Preventive HPV vaccines given in childhood are injected intramuscularly (into the muscle) or intradermally (into the skin). However, these vaccines can only prevent HPV infection and cannot treat HPV-induced cancers. Currently, therapeutic cancer vaccines are delivered as an injection intra-dermally. This delivery method is painful and makes it difficult to administer the drugs in LMICs which might lack healthcare professionals. Injections also carry the risk of needle-stick injuries which can lead to blood-borne infections due to viruses such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or Hepatitis C. To combat these issues, this project focused on comparing the efficacy of delivering a therapeutic cancer vaccine through a self-delivered microneedle patch applied onto the surface layers of the skin. The project addressed SDG3, good health and wellbeing, in particular, the age-standardized death rate due to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, or chronic respiratory diseases in adults aged 30 to 70 years.
Methods
This pilot experiment aimed to test the efficacy and ability of a therapeutic cancer vaccine to generate an immune response against HPV, control tumor growth, and improve overall survival. The experiment consisted of four groups of five mice each with the groups being given the 1) vaccine intradermally, 2) saline intradermally, 3) vaccine through a patch, or 4) saline through a patch. Mice were injected on the back shoulder (subcutaneously) with TC-1 cancer cells that contain the cancer-inducing HPV proteins. Three days after cancer cell injection, mice received the first dose of the vaccine and then two more booster doses at a weekly interval. Mice survival, tumor growth, and the response of the immune systems were compared across groups. Immune response was determined by collecting a blood sample after the last injection and stimulating the immune cells with HPV peptides. The immune response was analyzed by flow cytometry. The size of the tumors was measured twice a week to compute the tumor volume, and survival of mice were compared across groups.
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