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Table 3 The nanomaterials for delivery of STING agonists

From: Nanomaterial-encapsulated STING agonists for immune modulation in cancer therapy

Nanomaterials

Encapsulated STING agonists

Encapsulated anti-tumor agents

Key design features

Targeting components of STING pathways

in vivo model

Ref

Liposome

cGAMP

N/A

Mannose-coated NPs for DCs’ reorganization and uptake

Upregulation of IFN-β and IL-12

V600E BRAF-mutated and B16F10 melanoma model

[53]

 

cGAMP

N/A

Phosphatidylserine-coated surface for APCs’ reorganization and uptake

Upregulation of IFN-β, TNF-α, IL-6, p-TBK1 and p-IRF3

4T1 breast cancer and B16-OVA melanoma model

[54]

 

cGAMP

N/A

A photothermal segment (FeS2) for generating hydroxyl radic; bromelain-modified surface for ECM degradation

Upregulation of TNF-α and IL-6

4T1 breast cancer model

[56]

 

CDG

MPLA

The hydrophilic CDG into the NP core and hydrophobic MPLA into the lipid bilayer

Upregulation of IFN-β and TNF-α

B16F10 melanoma, 4T1 and D2.A1 breast cancer model

[138]

 

CDG

MPLA

The hydrophilic CDG into the NP core and hydrophobic MPLA into the lipid bilayer

Upregulation of IFN-β

Panc02 pancreatic cancer model

[137]

 

diABZI

αPD-L1 and αCD47

A lipid NP with dual linkages of αCD47 and αPD-L1

Upregulation of TNF-α, CXCL9 and CXCL10

CT-2 A and PVPF8 glioma model

[129]

Polymersomes

cGAMP

N/A

pH-sensitive segments (DEAEMA) with hydrophobic BMA for endosomal escapes

Upregulation of IFN-β, CXCL9 and CXCL10

B16F10 melanoma model

[59, 62]

 

cGAMP

N/A

pH-sensitive segments (DEAEMA) with hydrophobic BMA for endosomal escapes

Upregulation of IFN-β, TNF-α, IL-12, CXCL10 and p-IRF3

B16F10 melanoma model

[61]

 

cGAMP

N/A

pH-sensitive segments (DEAEMA) with hydrophobic BMA for endosomal escapes

Upregulation of IFN-β, CXCL10, TNF, IL-12, p-IRF3

Neuro-2a and 9464D neuroblastoma model

[60]

 

cGAMP

Tumor antigen (OVA)

pH-sensitive segments (DEAEMA) with hydrophobic BMA for endosomal escapes

Upregulation of IFN-α, IFN-β, TNF-α and IL-6

B16F10 melanoma and MC38 colorectal cancer model

[133]

Micelles

cGAMP

N/A

PC7A NP as a polyvalent STING agonist for amplifying activation of STING pathway

Upregulation of IFN-β and CXCL10

MC38 colorectal cancer model

[68]

 

cGAMP

Tumor antigen (OVA)

A cationic PDMA for electrostatic complexation with negatively charged cGAMP; a pH-responsive segment (PDPA) for NPs’ cellular disassembly and endosomal escapes

Upregulation of IFN-β, TNF-α, CXCL9, CXCL10 and IL-12

EG7 lymphoblastoma, MC38 colorectal and TC-1 cervical cancer model

[69]

Other Polymeric NPs

DMXAA

Tumor antigen (OVA)

Co-assembly of PEG-b-PDPA diblock copolymer with OEI-C14 for facilizing endosome escapes; surface modification with mannose for APCs’ reorganization

Upregulation of IFN-β, TNF-α, IL-6, CXCL10, Isg-15, p-IRF3 and p-TBK1

B16-OVA melanoma and 4T1 breast cancer model

[132]

 

DMXAA

SN38

SN38-grafted block as a chemotherapeutic prodrug; amine-containing DEAEMA group providing a positive charge for effective encapsulation and cellular internalization

Upregulation of IFN-β, TNF-α, CXCL9, CXCL10 and IRF7

B16F10 melanoma and 4T1 breast cancer model

[63]

CDNs

N/A

Cationic PBAEs as carriers for binding CDNs, specific cellular uptake and effective endosomal escapes

Upregulation of IRF3

B16F1 melanoma model

[86]

diABZI

αPD-L1 and Gemcitabine

αPD-L1-coated surface for enhancing cellular uptake and antitumor efficacy; Gemcitabine-PLA segment as a chemotherapeutic prodrug

Upregulation of IRF7, IL-6, CXCL9, CXCL10 and IFN‐β

Panc02 pancreatic cancer, B16F10 melanoma and 4T1 breast cancer model

[125]

cGAMP

siSIRPα

cationic lipid DOTAP and PEG-b-PLGA forming NPs that enhances encapsulation efficiency and cellular uptake

Upregulation of IFN-α and IFN-β

B16F10 melanoma model

[87]

3′3 cGAMP

CpG ODNs, 5′ppp-dsRNA, and tumor antigen (TRP2)

carboxylic acid-terminated PLGA for preventing aggregation and embolisms upon intravenous injection

Upregulation of TNF-α and IL-12

B16F10 melanoma model

[88]

CDG

αCD47

MPC as a zwitterionic polymer for superior BBB penetration; a FAP-α-responsive crosslinker targeted by the FAP-α enzyme in TME for effective release of CDG

Upregulation of IFN-β and TNF-α

GL261 glioma model

[127]

cGAMP

Tumor antigen (OVA)

Self-degradable framework PBAEs for endosomal escape

Upregulation of IFN-β, TNF-α, CXCL9 and CXCL10

B16F10 melanoma model

[89]

Mn2+-based NPs

CDA

N/A

Mn2+ as a STING agonist that self-assembles with CDNs and amplifies STING activation

Upregulation of IFN-β, TNF-α, CXCL-9 and CXCL10

B16F10 melanoma and CT26 colorectal cancer model

[71]

INOP-based NPs

MSA-2

Tumor antigen (OVA)

Acid INOPs for augmenting STING activation and endosomal escapes

Upregulation of IFN-β, TNF-α, IL-6 and CXCL10

B16-OVA melanoma and MC38 colorectal cancer model

[72]

Zinc-based NPs

CDA

N/A

A non-toxic zinc phosphate hydrophilic core with surrounding lipid bilayer

upregulation of IFN-β, TNF-α and IL-6

B16F10 melanoma. MC38 colorectal cancer and GL261 glioma model

[73]

MOFs

SR-717

N/A

A photosensitizer (TCPP) for controlling oxidation-responsive SR-717 release

Upregulation of IFN-β and IL-6

4T1 breast cancer model

[78]

 

DMXAA

CpG ODNs

MOF-801 as a STING agonist that self-assembles with DMXAA and CpG ODNs

Upregulation of IL-6, TNF-α, and cGAS-STING-NF-κB signaling

Hepa1-6 hepatoma carcinoma model

[141]

Mesoporous silica

CDG

N/A

Amine-modified surface electrostatically interacts with the anionic phospholipid membrane and ECM for enhancive local adherence

Upregulation of TNF-α

B16F10 melanoma model

[81]

CDG

N/A

PEGylated modification and quaternary ammonium-modified surface for stable blood circulation, enhancive tumor accumulation, and cellular uptake

Upregulation of IL-1β, IFN-β, IL-6 and p-STING

4T1 breast cancer model

[82]

CDG

N/A

Amine functionalization facilitating high CDG loading and effective release of CDG upon cellular internalization.

Upregulation of IFN-β

GL261 glioma model

[83]

CDA

N/A

A larger pore size (5–10 nm) and a thinner Si-O-Si matrix for rapid release of CDA

Upregulation of IFN-β, CXCL10, CCL2, and CCL5

B16F10 melanoma model

[84]

Sono-driven NPs

MSA-2

N/A

A semiconducting polymer as a sonosensitizer that links with MSA-2 through a singlet oxygen cleavable linker (diphenoxyethene)

Upregulation of IFN-β, p-TBK1 and p-IRF3

SCC-7 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma model

[91]

Lipid nanodisc

(LND)

CDNs

N/A

A flexible high-aspect-ratio morphology for improving penetration capacity; the conjugation of CDN prodrug and LND could be cleaved by cathepsin after cellular internalization

Upregulation of IFN-β, TNF-α and IL-6

MC38 colorectal cancer, TC-1 cervical cancer and 4T1 breast cancer model

[93]

Supramolecular

NP

CDG

N/A

A hydrophobic nucleotide lipid (3’,5’-diOA-dC) assembling with CDG through various supramolecular forces

Upregulation of IFN-β, TNF-α, CXCL9, CXCL10, STING and p-IRF3

B16F10 melanoma model

[95]

Extracellular vehicles (EVs)

CDNs

N/A

EVs as a delivery vehicle with favorable biocompatibility

upregulation of IFN-β, CXCL-9 and CXCL10

B16F10 melanoma and CT26 colorectal cancer model

[97]

  1. Abbreviations: p-TBK1: phosphorylated TBK1; p-IRF3: phosphorylated IRF3; p-STING: phosphorylated STING; OVA: ovalbumin; ECM: extracellular matrix; αCD47: CD47 antibody: αPD-L1: PD-L1 antibody; DEAEMA: 2-diethylaminoethyl methacrylate; BMA: butyl methacrylate; PBAEs: Poly (beta-amino esters); PLA: poly(lactic acid); MPC: 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine; FAP-α: fibroblast activation protein α; PDMA: poly((2-dimethylaminoethyl) methacrylate; PDPA: poly(2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl methacrylate); INOPs: Acid-ionizable iron NPs; MOFs: metal–organic framework; TCPP: meso-tetra(carboxyphenyl)porphyrin; PLGA: poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid); DOTAP: 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane; PEG: polyethylene glycol; Isg-15: Interferon stimulated gene 15