Sustained Release of HIF-2α Inhibitors Using Biodegradable Porous Silicon Carriers for Enhanced Immunogenic Cell Death of Malignant Merkel Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare but aggressive neuroendocrine skin cancer with limited treatment options, often associated with Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) and marked by hypoxic tumor microenvironments that promote resistance to therapies. Belzutifan, an FDA-approved hypoxia-inducible factor-2 alpha (HIF-2 alpha) inhibitor, has shown promise in inhibiting tumor growth; however, its clinical efficacy is hindered by its low solubility, rapid clearance, and limited bioavailability. In this study, we present a strategy using porous silicon (pSi) microparticles and nanoparticles as carriers for the sustained delivery of benzoate to MCC cells. The pSi carriers were engineered to securely encapsulate and gradually release belzutifan, overcoming the limitations of free drug administration. Microparticles provided sustained extracellular release, while nanoparticles enabled efficient intracellular delivery, enhancing HIF-2 alpha inhibition. Moreover, the use of biodegradable silicon particles enables long-term consistent release of belzutifan over 10 days in vitro with a single dose administration in the tumor microenvironment, while free belzutifan is rapidly deactivated within 1 day postadministration. In vitro studies demonstrated significant immunogenic cell death (ICD) in MCC cells, marked by the cytosolic localization of HMGB1 and elevated expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines as well as strong upregulation of TLR9. Particularly, the increased TLR9 expression in both MCC cell lines with pSi carrier treatment reinforces immune activation through toll-like receptor signaling, enhancing both innate and adaptive immune responses within the tumor microenvironment. These findings indicate that pSi carriers not only enhance belzutifan's stability and release profile but also amplify antitumor immune responses within the tumor microenvironment. Our results suggest that belzutifan-loaded pSi carriers offer a potent and targeted therapeutic strategy for MCC, potentially addressing key challenges in cancer immunotherapy by combining HIF-2 alpha inhibition with robust immune activation. This platform highlights the universal utility of pSi-based delivery systems to advance MCC treatment with implications for broader cancer therapies.