Researchers develop oral microbiome-based nanodrug to boost cancer immunotherapy

Researchers at Sungkyunkwan University and the University of Michigan have developed the world’s first oral microbiome-based nanodrug for cancer immunotherapy. Sungkyunkwan University said Monday that the nanodrug significantly enhances the ability of immune cells to attack cancer cells by using natural metabolites produced by gut bacteria. The university’s research team, led by Cho Young-seok, professor at the School of Medicine, conducted a joint study with researchers at the University of Michigan, including James J. Moon, a professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. The findings were published Monday in Nature Nanotechnology, one of the world’s leading journals in nanoscience and medicine, under the title “Oral nano-delivery of a gut microbial metabolite enhances T cell stemness for cancer immunotherapy.” “This study is the first to uncover at the molecular level how gut microbes in our bodies enhance immune function and to translate this mechanism into an orally administered drug using nanotechnology,” Cho said. He added, “By turning microbial metabolites

A joint research team—led by professor Young Seok Cho from the School of Medicine, alongside professor James J. Moon from the University of Michigan—has developed the world's first oral, microbiome-based nanomedicine. By leveraging natural metabolites produced by gut bacteria, the new drug significantly enhances immune cells' ability to attack cancer cells. The study was published in Nature Nanotechnology.