Researchers develop oral nanomedicine to boost cancer immunity

Researchers from Sungkyunkwan University and the University of Michigan have developed a first-of-its-kind oral nanomedicine designed to enhance the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy. The study, published in Nature Nanotechnology, focuses on utilizing a gut microbial metabolite known as 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB) to boost anti-cancer immunity.

Findings indicate that DHB promotes stem cell-like properties in CD8+ T cells, which are critical white blood cells for destroying tumors. By suppressing the glycolytic process that typically leads to metabolic exhaustion in these cells, DHB allows them to survive longer and maintain a sustained attack on cancer cells.

To address the issue of DHB being rapidly cleared from the body, the team utilized nanotechnology to create an oral nano-emulsion formulation called Prodrug 201. This stable formulation extends the bioavailability and absorption of the metabolite. In animal studies, the nanomedicine administered alongside existing immunotherapies successfully eliminated tumors and triggered an immune memory response to protect against recurrence.