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Programmable living therapeutics for cancer immunotherapy
Zhenqiang Deng1, Lingxue Niu1, Zhihao Wang1
1Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, Shanghai Academy of Natural Sciences (SANS), East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China.
Cell Chemical Biology
|May 12, 2026
Summary
Synthetic biology is engineering living therapeutics for cancer immunotherapy. These advanced therapies precisely target tumors, offering safer and more effective treatment options with significant clinical potential.
Area of Science:
- Synthetic biology
- Cancer immunotherapy
- Living therapeutics
Background:
- Cancer immunotherapy harnesses the immune system to fight cancer.
- Living therapeutics offer novel mechanisms for cancer treatment.
- Synthetic biology enables precise engineering of therapeutic agents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in synthetic biology for cancer immunotherapy.
- To categorize progress in engineered CAR-T cells, bacteria, and viruses.
- To discuss challenges and future directions for clinical translation.
Main Methods:
- Categorization of advances in three modalities: CAR-T cells, oncolytic bacteria, and oncolytic viruses.
- Analysis of engineered circuits for sensing, computation, and actuation within tumors.
- Review of strategies for tumor-selective activation and payload delivery.
Main Results:
- CAR-T cells utilize responsive switches for controlled activation.
- Engineered bacteria employ logic circuits for targeted colonization and payload release.
- Reprogrammed oncolytic viruses exhibit enhanced tumor specificity and immune stimulation.
Conclusions:
- Synthetic biology is revolutionizing cancer immunotherapy with living therapeutics.
- Engineered living therapeutics offer precise, safe, and potentially translatable cancer treatments.
- Future directions include enhancing circuit complexity, targeting precision, and platform synergy.
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