Anti-CD38-Targeted Piperazine-Derived Lipid Nanoparticles Overcome Hepatic Clearance for mRNA Delivery to Multiple Myeloma Cells In Vivo

Abstract

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable plasma cell malignancy characterized by clonal heterogeneity, immune evasion, and therapeutic resistance. Messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutics offer programmable strategies to express therapeutic proteins and gene editors, but their efficacy is limited by poor extrahepatic delivery. To overcome these barriers, we developed a lipid nanoparticle (LNP) platform for targeted mRNA delivery to MM cells in vivo. Through combinatorial screening, we identified C16-O1, a piperazine-based ionizable lipid that efficiently transfects both CD138+ and therapy-resistant CD138-MM subclones. For tumor selectivity, LNPs were functionalized with an antibody fragment against CD38, a clinically validated MM antigen. Anti-CD38 LNPs reached the tumor-site and significantly reduced hepatic accumulation in murine xenografts. As an in vitro proof-of-concept, delivery of Cas9 mRNA and an IRF4-targeting guide RNA induced gene knockout, cell-cycle arrest, and lenalidomide sensitization. Together, these findings establish a robust framework for targeted mRNA delivery in MM and other hematologic malignancies.