Programmable nanomotor system responsively and chemotactically captures tumor associated antigens for enhanced in

Panpan Song1,2,3, Xiaoqing Han2, Yanjing Wang1,2,3

  • 1The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510120, China.

Materials Today. Bio
|December 1, 2025
PubMed

Insights

This study introduces a novel nanomotor system for in situ cancer vaccines. This system captures tumor-associated antigens (TAAs), enhancing cancer immunotherapy and preventing tumor recurrence.

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Immunology
  • Nanotechnology

Background:

  • In situ cancer vaccines using tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) show promise for cancer therapy.
  • Rapid clearance of TAAs by the innate immune system limits the efficacy of current cancer vaccines.
  • Developing strategies to prolong TAA presence is crucial for effective antitumor immunity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a nanomotor system (DMSN@MOMVPF) for in situ cancer vaccination.
  • To enhance cancer immunotherapy by overcoming rapid TAA clearance.
  • To improve the induction of tumor-specific adaptive immune responses.

Main Methods:

  • Engineered a nanomotor system (DMSN@MOMVPF) that responds to acidic tumor microenvironments.
  • Utilized folate-attached, mitoxantrone-embedded bacterial outer membrane vesicle (OMV) fragments for tumor cell uptake and induction of immunogenic cell death (ICD).
  • Incorporated DNase for chemotactic propulsion to capture TAAs based on DNA gradients.

Main Results:

  • The nanomotor system effectively captured TAAs, inhibiting their rapid clearance.
  • Demonstrated suppression of both primary and distant tumors in vivo.
  • Elicited significant immune memory effects, preventing tumor recurrence.

Conclusions:

  • The developed nanomotor system serves as an effective in situ cancer vaccine.
  • This approach enhances cancer immunotherapy by prolonging TAA availability and stimulating immune responses.
  • The system holds potential for preventing tumor recurrence through induced immune memory.

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