journal article·2026-04Open access

AND logic nanoparticle for precision immunotherapy of metastatic cancers

Shuyue Ye, Shuang Chen, Vijay Basava, Katy Torres, Yangyang Zhao, Gang Huang, Mingyi Chen, Jinming Gao

Nature Nanotechnology· Volume 21· Issue 4

Abstract

Abstract Success in systemic immunotherapy against metastatic cancer hinges on the ability to achieve tumour-specific immune activation over normal tissues. Single-gate stimuli-responsive systems are not adequate at differentiating tumour versus normal tissue signals. Here we report an AND-gated nanoparticle that requires acidic pH and hypoxia signals to activate the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway in systemic therapy of metastatic cancers. The dual stimuli-responsive nanoparticle consists of a small-molecule STING agonist conjugated to a pH-sensitive polymer through a hypoxia-sensitive linker. Biochemical analyses confirmed the (pH–hypoxia) AND logic truth table in STING activation. The nanoparticle agonist significantly reduced metastatic burdens in multiple immune-cold tumour models while exhibiting minimal systemic toxicity. Mechanistic investigation revealed that STING activation in tumour-resident type I dendritic cells drives CD8 + T cell priming and infiltration, which synergizes with immune checkpoint inhibitors. This AND logic nanoplatform offers a safe and efficacious therapeutic for STING-mediated immunotherapy against metastatic cancers.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: interferon and immune responses · Nanoplatforms for cancer theranostics · Cancer, Hypoxia, and Metabolism

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

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