Whole
tumor cells expressing a wide array of
tumor antigens are considered as a highly promising source of
antigens for
cancer vaccines. However, simultaneously preserving the
antigen diversity, improving immunogenicity, and eliminating the potential tumorigenic risk of whole
tumor cells are highly challenging. Inspired by the recent progress in
sulfate radical-based environmental technology, herein, an advanced oxidation nanoprocessing (AONP) strategy is developed for boosting the immunogenicity of whole
tumor cells. The AONP is based on the activation of
peroxymonosulfate by ZIF-67 nanocatalysts to produce SO4 -∙ radicals continuously, leading to sustained oxidative damage to
tumor cells and consequently extensive cell death. Importantly, AONP causes immunogenic apoptosis as evidenced by the release of a series of characteristic damage associated molecular patterns and at the same time maintains the integrity of
cancer cells, which is critical to preserve the cellular components and thus maximize the diversity of
antigens. Finally, the immunogenicity of AONP-treated whole
tumor cells is evaluated in a prophylactic vaccination model, demonstrating significantly delayed
tumor growth and increased survival rate of live
tumor-cell-challenged mice. It is expected that the developed AONP strategy would pave the way to develop effective personalized whole
tumor cell
vaccines in future.