Cytokines like IFN-γ or TNF play a crucial role in creating an immunogenic microenvironment and therefore are key players in the fight against metastatic cancer.
PEG-SS-P[Asp(DET)] micelle encapsulating human tumor necrosis factor α (hTNF-α) gene exhibits a higher antitumor efficacy against disseminated cancer compared with PEG-P[Asp(DET)] or saline control.
Here, we combine the tumor-specific apoptosis-inducing activity of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) with the ability of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to infiltrate both tumor and lymphatic tissues to target primary tumors as well as disseminated cancer cells in a human pancreatic cancer mouse model.