Three-Dimensional Covalent Organic Frameworks with Cross-Linked Pores for Efficient Cancer Immunotherapy

• Published in: Nano letters 2021-10, Vol.21 (19), p.7979-7988
• Main Authors: Zhang, Liang, Yang, Lei-Lei, Wan, Shu-Cheng, Yang, Qi-Chao, Xiao, Yao, Deng, Hexiang, Sun, Zhi-Jun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1530-6984; 1530-6992
• DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.1c02050

We report the design and synthesis of a series of three-dimensional (3D) covalent organic frameworks (COFs) as immunogenic cell death (ICD) inducers for cancer immunotherapy. Three triple-topic amine building blocks, inactive to inducing ICD, were used to construct three COFs, COF-607, COF-608, and COF-609, with outstanding ICD eliciting efficiency. Mechanism studies revealed that after linking these ICD inert monomers into the COF backbone, the optical properties of these COFs could be systematically tuned to achieve excellent reactive oxygen species (ROS) production performance. This combined with 3D cross-linked pores, mimicking lung structure, favor the exchange and diffusion of oxygen and ROS, leading to excellent inducing ICD efficacy. One member, COF-609, is capable of triggering abscopal and long-lasting immune memory effects in a mouse model of breast cancer with >95% mice survival after being treated with COF-609+αCD47 for 110 days.