Robust CD8+ T cell responses induced by an mRNA-LNP vaccine encoding rat HER2 extracellular domain confer prophylactic tumor protection

Background: HER2-positive cancers present challenges of drug resistance, toxicity, and immune tolerance. HER2-targeted peptide vaccines have failed clinically, while nucleoside-modified mRNA-lipid nanoparticle (mRNA-LNP) vaccines show promise for robust antitumor immunity. This study utilized heterologous immunity (rat HER2 extracellular domain, rHER2 ECD) to circumvent HER2 tolerance, developing a safe mRNA-LNP vaccine and exploring its synergy with anti-PD-1 therapy. Methods: We synthesized N1-methyl-pseudouridine (m1ψ)-modified mRNAs, encoding either rHER2 ECD alone (rHER2 ECD mRNA-LNP) or rHER2 ECD fused to murine IFNγ (rHER2 ECD-IFNγ mRNA-LNP), and then encapsulated them in LNPs via microfluidic mixing. BALB/c mice were immunized on days 1, 15, 29, then challenged with HER2-overexpressing 4T1 (4T1-HER2) cells 2 weeks post-final immunization. Efficacy was assessed by tumor growth, immune responses via flow cytometry, ELISA, ELISpot and cytotoxicity assays, safety via body/organ weight and serum markers. Results: T cells. No systemic toxicity was observed. Conclusion: cells in the TME, which underscores its promising potential for the treatment of HER2-positive cancers.