dual-activating polyvalent STING agonist ONM-501

A nanoparticle-based formulation consisting of the stimulator of interferon genes protein (STING; transmembrane protein 173; TMEM173)-activating, pH-sensitive, polymeric micelles PC7A, loaded with the endogenous STING agonist cGAMP, with potential immunoactivating and antineoplastic activities. Upon intratumoral administration of dual-activating polyvalent STING agonist ONM-501, both the polymer PC7A and the encapsulated cGAMP target and bind to STING, thereby activating the STING pathway in immune cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). This leads to the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interferons (IFNs), enhances the cross-presentation of tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) by dendritic cells (DCs), and induces a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL)-mediated immune response against cancer cells. STING, a transmembrane protein that activates immune cells in the TME, plays a key role in the activation of the innate immune system.