Related Experiment Videos
Nanozyme-Mediated Cellular and Microenvironmental Metabolic Reprogramming for Boosting Cancer Immunotherapy
Bili Zhang1, Menghuan Li1, Yan Hu2
1School of Life Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|August 4, 2026
Summary
Nanozymes can reprogram the tumor microenvironment (TME) to enhance cancer immunotherapy. By modulating metabolism, nanozymes boost anti-tumor immunity and synergize with existing treatments.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cancer Research
- Immunology
Background:
- Cancer immunotherapy effectiveness is limited by the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME).
- Metabolic abnormalities like hypoxia and toxic metabolite accumulation in the TME hinder anti-tumor responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the potential of nanozymes in modulating tumor immunometabolism.
- To explore how nanozymes can overcome TME-mediated immunosuppression and enhance immunotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Review of nanozyme catalytic properties for TME reprogramming.
- Analysis of nanozyme effects on metabolic pathways and immune cell function.
- Exploration of nanozyme synergy with established cancer immunotherapeutics.
Main Results:
- Nanozymes can alleviate hypoxia, supplement nutrients, and eliminate immunosuppressive metabolites (e.g., glutathione, kynurenine).
- Nanozyme treatment enhances antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and restores metabolic fitness of anti-tumor T cells.
- Nanozymes synergize with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), adoptive cell therapies, and cancer vaccines.
Conclusions:
- Nanozymes offer a promising strategy to remodel the tumor immunometabolic landscape.
- Nanozyme-based approaches can significantly empower cancer immunotherapy efficacy.
- Further research is needed for clinical translation and integration into combination therapies.
Related Concept Videos
02:17The Tumor Microenvironment
Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
02:17The Tumor Microenvironment
Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
01:27Tumor Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
02:53Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells
Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
02:53Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells
Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
02:50Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...