Definition

A formulation consisting of lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-encapsulated messenger RNA (mRNA) encoding human single-chain interleukin-12 (scIL-12), with potential immunomodulatory and antineoplastic activities. Upon intratumoral injection, the LNP moiety binds to the plasma membrane of nearby cells and releases the scIL-12 mRNA into the cells. The mRNA is then translated by the cellular protein translation machinery to produce scIL-12, which is secreted into the local tumor microenvironment (TME). IL-12 activates the immune system by promoting the secretion of interferon-gamma (IFN-g), activating natural killer cells (NKs), and inducing cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) responses, which may result in both decreased tumor cell proliferation and enhanced immune-mediated destruction of tumor cells.