Targeted Delivery of Dasatinib to Deplete Tumor-Associated Macrophages by Mannosylated Mixed Micelles for Tumor Immunotherapy

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are abundant in tumors and predominately show protumor M2-type fostering tumor progression. Specific depletion of TAMs is conceivably favorable for antitumor therapy. In this study, mannosylated mixed micelles (DAS-MMic) were developed to specifically deliver dasatinib (DAS) to eliminate TAMs for tumor immunotherapy. In vitro and in vivo results showed that DAS-MMic could effectively eradicate TAMs, decrease angiogenesis, reprogram the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and finally suppress tumor progression. These data suggest the potential of direct elimination of TAMS by DAS-MMic for tumor immunotherapy.