Polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid-poly-L-lysine carboxymethylcellulose (Poly ICLC)

Poly ICLC (polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid stabilized with poly-L-lysine and carboxymethylcellulose) is a synthetic double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) complex that acts as a potent viral mimic and immunostimulant [1, 2]. It is primarily recognized as an agonist of Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) and the cytoplasmic helicase MDA5, which are key sensors of the innate immune system [2, 3]. Upon binding, Poly ICLC triggers the production of Type I interferons and various pro-inflammatory cytokines, leading to the activation of dendritic cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and cytotoxic T lymphocytes [3, 4]. In clinical settings, it is extensively investigated as a vaccine adjuvant and a standalone immunotherapy for various cancers, including glioblastoma and melanoma, as well as for viral infections [1, 5]. While often referred to in the context of therapeutic development, Poly ICLC is a pharmacological agent (ligand) rather than a biological target such as a receptor or enzyme [2]. Its ability to modulate the tumor microenvironment and enhance antigen-specific immune responses makes it a critical component in modern combinatorial immunotherapy strategies [4, 5].

Other names

HiltonolPoly-ICLCPoly-IC:LCPolyinosinic-polycytidylic acid-poly-L-lysine carboxymethylcellulose complexPoly-L-lysine-stabilized polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid

Agonist of Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) and Melanoma Differentiation-Associated protein 5 (MDA5)