ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Immunotherapy is a powerful strategy for treating cancer and can be used to inhibit the post-surgical relapse of tumors. METHODS: To achieve this, a Cell@hydrogel was developed as a template using a mixture of CT26 tumor cells and Pluronic® F-127/gelatin. RESULTS: The proposed mixture has a solution-to-gelation functionality and vice versa. The morphology of the Cell@hydrogel was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and confocal microscopy. For photodynamic immunotherapy, the Cell@hydrogel was functionalized with Cy7 (Cy7-Cell@hydrogel) to quantify reactive oxygen species in CT26 tumor cells. Gel electrophoresis and membrane integrity tests were performed to determine the efficiency of the Cy7-Cell@hydrogel following photodynamic therapy. CONCLUSIONS: This protocol provides an alternative approach that mechanistically inhibits the post-surgical relapse of solid tumors based on immunotherapy.