Researchers based at the University of Toronto Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy have developed a novel ionizable lipid nanoparticle (LNP), called iso-A11B5C1, that can deliver mRNA specifically to muscle, while minimizing off-target delivery to other tissues, such as the liver and spleen. Tests in the mouse melanoma model showed that iso-AB11B5C1 LNPs significantly slowed tumor growth. “Our study showcases for the first time that mRNA LNPs can still effectively stimulate a cellular immune response and produce robust anti-tumor effects, even without direct targeting or transfecting lymph nodes,” said research lead Bowen Li, PhD, assistant professor, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy.