Cancer Immunotherapy

Adelaide researchers use tumor-targeted nanoparticles to reprogram cancer-fighting immune cells

University of Adelaide scientists led by Chunxia Zhao designed 'smart' nanoparticles that ferry mRNA specifically to tumor-associated macrophages, prompting them to produce CXCL9, a molecule that summons T cells to attack cancer. The approach, described this week in Science Advances, aims to reverse how tumors normally hijack macrophages to block immune attacks.

wired.com · 2026-09-16

MIT researchers develop mRNA adjuvant that boosts T-cell response against tumors

MIT scientists created a new vaccine adjuvant made of mRNA encoding two genes that push immune cells into a more active state via specific signaling pathways. Delivered in lipid nanoparticles in mouse models of bladder, colon, lung and skin cancers, the adjuvant slowed or eliminated tumors even without a cancer-specific vaccine, and worked even better alongside one or with checkpoint inhibitor drugs.

technologyreview.com · 2026-08-25