Tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) tend to exhibit tumor-promoting M2 phenotype and contribute to the development of immunosuppressive microenvironment of solid tumors. Reprograming TAMs from M2 into tumoricidal M1 phenotype is robust for stimulating tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment (TIME). In this study, we developed a poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) derivative dendrimer (denoted as fourth generation-N, N-diethylaminoethyl (G4-DEEA)) for efficient loading of Toll-like receptor 7 and 8 (TLR7/8) agonist (R848) to remodel the TIME for potent cancer immunotherapy. G4-DEEA exhibited a high loading capacity of R848 up to 35.9 wt% by taking advantage of its dendritic structure. The resulting formulation (designated as G4-DEEA@R848) effectively polarized M2 macrophages into M1 phenotype in vitro, and improved the maturation and activation of antigen-presenting cells. In the 4T1 orthotopic breast cancer model, G4-DEEA@R848 showed a stronger tumor inhibitory effect than free drug. The mechanistic studies suggested that G4-DEEA@R848 could significantly stimulate the TIME by repolarizing TAMs into M1 phenotype, reducing the presence of immunosuppressive myeloid cells and increasing the infiltration of tumor cytotoxic T cells. This study provides a simple but effective dendrimer-based strategy to improve the formulation of R848 for improved cancer immunotherapy.

Glucose-responsive insulin delivery systems show great promise to improve therapeutic outcomes and quality of life for people with diabetes. Herein, a new microneedle-array patch containing pH-sensitive insulin-loaded nanoparticles (NPs) (SNP(I)) together with glucose oxidase (GOx)- and catalase (CAT)-loaded pH-insensitive NPs (iSNP(G+C)) is constructed for transcutaneous glucose-responsive insulin delivery. SNP(I) are prepared via double emulsion from a pH-sensitive amphiphilic block copolymer, and undergo rapid dissociation to promote insulin release at a mild acidic environment induced by GOx in iSNP(G+C) under hyperglycemic conditions. CAT in iSNP(G+C) can further consume excess H₂O₂ generated during GOx oxidation, and thus reduce the risk of inflammation toward the normal skin. The in vivo study on type 1 diabetic mice demonstrates that the platform can effectively regulate blood glucose levels within normal ranges for a prolonged period.