Low-dose arsenic trioxide inhibits pancreatic stellate cell activation via LOXL3 expression to enhance immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is characterized by abnormally fibrotic mesenchyme, which notably influences on the effectiveness of immunotherapy. Low-dose arsenic trioxide (ATO, 1.0 μM) can inhibit the activation of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) and affect fibrosis, which is a potential strategy for enhancing the sensitivity to immunotherapy.

Extracellular matrix (ECM) models were employed to assess the regulatory effects of ATO on ECM and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Orthotopic C57BL/6J models were utilized to evaluate the influence of ATO on CD8⁺T cell infiltration and immunotherapy in PC. Additionally, nanomaterials loaded with ATO designed to specifically target PSCs (scAbFAP-α-HMSNs-PAA-ATO) were produced to enhance targeting effects of ATO.

Low-dose ATO (1.0 μM) suppressed PSCs activation, exhibiting potential for synergistic immunotherapy. Under low-dose ATO intervention, ECM underwent remodeling, leading to increases in CD8⁺T cell infiltration, thereby enhancing anti-PD-L1 therapy effect. We further demonstrated that low-dose ATO remodeled ECM by regulating the expression of LOXL3 in PSCs. scAbFAP-α-HMSNs-PAA-ATO exhibited improved targeting capabilities, and enhanced capacity to inhibit fibrosis and sensitize immunotherapy.

Our research reveals that low-dose ATO, by regulating LOXL3, remodels the ECM and enhances CD8⁺T cell infiltration, thus sensitizing the efficacy of immunotherapy, which provides a novel strategy for comprehensive treatment to PC.