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Updated: Mar 19, 2026

Polymalic Acid-based Nano Biopolymers for Targeting of Multiple Tumor Markers: An Opportunity for Personalized Medicine?
Published on: June 13, 2014
Programmable nanomicelles rewire myeloid immunity for durable control of primary and metastatic breast cancer
Jie Yang1, Di Chang1, Yingbo Li1
1Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Nurturing Center of Jiangsu Province for the State Laboratory of AI Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Southeast University, Nanjing, China.
Abstract:
Immunosuppressive myeloid cells, including immature dendritic cells (DC) and tumor-promoting macrophages, drive tumor progression and immune evasion. Reprogramming these cells into immune effectors remains challenging. Here, we present a programmable nanomicelle platform that reconfigures myeloid immunity to combat both primary and metastatic breast cancer (BC). The nanomicelles co-deliver photosensitizers (IR825), anti-PD-L1 antibodies, and antagomiR-182 with spatiotemporal precision. Upon activation, they induce immunogenic cell death, promoting DC maturation to enhance antigen presentation. Concurrently, miR-182 inhibition repolarizes M2-like macrophages into M1-like phenotypes via the TLR4/MYD88/NF-κB pathway. This dual reprogramming enhances CD8+ T cell infiltration and functionality, driving durable anti-tumor responses. In multiple BC models, the platform suppresses tumor growth, prevents metastasis, and induces long-term immune memory. Its efficacy and immunomodulatory effects were further validated in a patient-derived tumor fragment assay and patient-derived xenograft models, highlighting translational potential. This work offers a clinically relevant strategy to rewire tumor-promoting myeloid cells for cancer immunotherapy.

