Epigallocatechin-3-gallate induces immunogenic cell death and enhances cancer immunotherapy in colorectal cancer

The induction of immunogenic cell death (ICD) can activate antitumor immune response to potentiate cancer immunotherapy. In this study, we observed the antitumor activity following combinatorial therapy with anti-CTLA4 antibody and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) in CT26 tumors.Indeed, EGCG triggered colon cancer cells ICD with the secretion of high-mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) and the surface expression of calreticulin (CRT) and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70). Mice treated with EGCG promoted the maturation of dendritic cells and enhanced the effector function of CD8+ T cells within tumors to remodel the tumor immune microenvironment. Overall, these results indicate that EGCG, a novel ICD inducer, triggers ICD in CRC, and provides a new concept for cancer immunotherapy. •EGCG induced immunogenic cell death (ICD) in colon cancer cells.•EGCG improved tumor immune micro-environment in CT26 tumors.•EGCG synergized with anti-CTLA-4 antibody in CT26 tumors.