Breakthrough in Cancer Immunotherapy

SINGAPORE: Researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have achieved a groundbreaking breakthrough in cancer treatment that could revolutionize the field of immunotherapy. They have developed a modified form of cancer immunotherapy that not only enhances its effectiveness but also significantly minimizes harmful side effects that often accompany traditional treatments.

What is Immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy harnesses the power of the body’s own immune system to combat cancer. While it has shown great promise, a major limitation has been the immune-related side effects, wherein the immune system erroneously attacks healthy tissue. This can lead to a host of complications for patients, often impeding the overall effectiveness of the treatment.

Innovative Delivery Platform

The innovative research team, led by Assistant Professor Minh Le from the Institute for Digital Medicine (WisDM) at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, has introduced a game-changing delivery platform based on nano-sized particles known as extracellular vesicles (EVs). These EVs, which are naturally produced and released by various cells in the body, have been ingeniously modified to carry multiple immune-boosting agents, referred to as 'immunomodulatory ligands.'

Role of TNFRSF Agonists

Of particular importance are the Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily (TNFRSF) agonists embedded within these EVs, which play a pivotal role in modulating immune responses against malignant cells. The research, conducted on advanced animal models of metastatic pancreatic cancer and melanoma, reveals that this novel EV-based delivery system vastly enhances the retention of these immune-boosting compounds directly within tumors.

Advantages Over Traditional Immunotherapy

This precision targeting means that lower doses of the drugs can be employed without losing effectiveness, consequently leading to a significant reduction in side effects—a crucial advantage over traditional immunotherapy techniques, which often bombard the entire body with higher drug doses.

Positive Outcomes