A Multifunctional Prodrug with the DNA Damage Amplification Effect for Inducing Immunogenic Cell Death

While immunogenic cell death (ICD)
represents an effective approach
to augment traditional immunotherapy, the clinical utility of ICD
inducers is constrained by their potency and toxicity profiles. In
this study, we engineered a novel functional prodrug, Ola-NC-SS-PEG-Lap, which exploits the synergistic interplay between an NQO1-bioactivated
compound and a PARP inhibitor to selectively induce ICD in tumor cells
without harming normal cells. Compared to monotherapies or their coadministration, Ola-NC-SS-PEG-Lap elicited superior reactive oxygen species
(ROS) production, leading to increased DNA damage. This damage was
further potentiated by the inhibition of PARP-mediated DNA repair,
resulting in robust ICD induction in vitro. Furthermore, in an MC38
syngeneic mouse model, Ola-NC-SS-PEG-Lap significantly
suppressed tumor growth in the absence of observable toxicity or weight
loss. The treatment also delayed tumorigenesis by reprogramming the
immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and generating lasting antitumor
immune memory.