Development of CD40L-modified tumor small extracellular vesicles for effective induction of antitumor immune response

: Tumor-derived small extracellular vesicles (TEVs) are considered for use in inducing tumor antigen-specific immune responses as they contain tumor antigens. The delivery of tumor antigens to the antigen presentation cells (especially dendritic cells [DCs]), and the activation of DCs are the main challenges of TEV therapy. : TEVs were modified with CD40 ligand (CD40L), which can target CD40 expressed on the surface of DCs and can activate them via CD40L-CD40 interactions. : It was found that CD40L-TEVs were efficiently taken up by DCs and also activated them. Moreover, tumor antigens were efficiently presented to the T cells by DCs treated with CD40L-TEVs. : This study proved that CD40L-modification of TEVs will be helpful for further development of TEV-based tumor vaccination.