Research Highlight

We developed a pH-responsive lipid–gelatin–protamine nanozyme that delivers glucose oxidase to hepatocellular carcinoma, selectively depleting intratumoral glucose and inducing oxidative stress. This metabolic reprogramming sensitizes tumors to apoptosis, promotes immunogenic cell death, and enhances antitumor immunity. When combined with doxorubicin and PD-1 checkpoint blockade, the nanozyme overcomes therapeutic resistance and achieves durable tumor control in orthotopic HC

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most difficult cancers to treat because it is surrounded by a dense fibrotic barrier that blocks drugs and immune cells from reaching the tumor. To address this challenge, we developed a stroma-targeted immunogene therapy  specifically for pancreatic cancer. Instead of delivering immune proteins directly, we use a smart nanoparticle to carry a gene encoding the immune-stimulating cytokine IL-2 into the tumor microenvironment. This allows cells

After breast cancer surgery, tiny leftover cancer cells can remain in the body and cause the tumor to return. We developed a soft, sponge-like gel that acts as a dendritic cell vaccine , placed directly at the surgical site to help the immune system eliminate these remaining cancer cells. Dendritic cells are “teacher” cells of the immune system—they show T cells what to attack. Our gel keeps these dendritic cells alive and active while slowly releasing chemotherapy and an imm

What if a tumor could be transformed into a vaccine factory inside the body? We developed an in situ gel vaccine, an injectable gel that slowly releases three coordinated therapies directly within the tumor: a STING activator to trigger immune alarm signals, a chemotherapy drug to kill cancer cells and release tumor antigens, and an immune checkpoint blocker to remove the brakes on T cells. Once injected, the gel forms a small depot at body temperature, allowing sustained imm

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is one of the earliest approved cancer immunotherapies, but its clinical use is limited because it breaks down quickly in the body and can cause serious side effects. We developed a tiny “nanogel” that delivers IL-2 directly to tumors together with a chemotherapy drug that triggers immunogenic cell death. This special drug causes cancer cells to release danger signals, which reprogram immune-suppressive cells and help activate cancer-killing T cells. In a

Pancreatic cancer is extremely difficult to treat because it builds a thick, fibrotic barrier around itself that blocks drugs and immune cells. We developed a smart nanogel that delivers nitric oxide (NO) directly to this tumor stroma. NO acts like a “softening signal”—it relaxes and remodels the dense scar-like tissue, improves blood flow, and makes cancer cells more sensitive to therapy. At the same time, the nanogel carries TRAIL, a protein that selectively triggers cancer

Liver cancer often becomes life-threatening because cancer cells can migrate, invade other organs, and resist treatment. A key molecule that drives this behavior is CXCR4, a receptor that helps cancer cells move and survive in harsh, low-oxygen environments. We developed a highly selective and effective small-molecule CXCR4 inhibitor, called BPRCX807, designed to precisely block this pathway while minimizing unwanted side effects. In liver cancer models, this targeted inhibit

Cancer can avoid immune attack by expressing molecules like PD-L1 that suppress T cells and by creating a tumor environment that weakens immune responses. To overcome this, we developed a tumor-selective nanoparticle system that delivers two genetic therapies at the same time: siRNA to silence PD-L1 and plasmid DNA to produce the immune-stimulating cytokine IL-2 directly inside liver tumors. This dual-delivery approach both removes the tumor’s “immune brake” and boosts cancer

T umors often grow abnormal, leaky blood vessels that actually make treatment less effective by limiting drug delivery and creating a low-oxygen, immune-suppressive environment. We developed a nanoscale nitric oxide delivery system called NanoNO  that slowly and precisely releases nitric oxide inside liver tumors. At low doses, NanoNO does not destroy blood vessels—instead, it “normalizes” them, improving blood flow, reducing hypoxia, and allowing chemotherapy drugs and thera