Toll-like receptor 3 agonist complexed with cationic liposome augments vaccine-elicited antitumor immunity by enhancing TLR3-IRF3 signaling and type I interferons in dendritic cells

► Poly I:C-DOTAP Liposome Complex (PDLC) was prepared as a vaccine adjuvant. ► PDLC augmented vaccine-elicited CTL response and tumor regression. ► PDLC promoted bone-marrow dendritic cell (BMDC) maturation and type I IFN production. ► PDLC enhanced the recognition of poly I:C by TLR3 and downstream IRF3 phosphorylation in BMDCs.