A research team led by Prof. WU Zhengyan from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with Prof. ZHANG Guilong from Binzhou Medical University, has developed a groundbreaking nano-immune agonist that significantly enhances immunotherapy outcomes for melanoma, a highly aggressive and difficult-to-treat form of skin cancer.

 The study, published in Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, introduces a biodegradable therapeutic nanomaterial called pLCGM-OVA.

Melanoma presents a significant clinical challenge, primarily due to its strong immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, which reduces the effectiveness of conventional immune checkpoint inhibitors. To address this issue, the researchers designed a multifunctional nanoplatform capable of reshaping the tumor microenvironment and boosting the body’s natural immune defenses against cancer.

They developed the innovative nano-immune agonist, which works through several mechanisms: it induces immunogenic cell death via reactive oxygen species and copper-triggered cuproptosis—an emerging form of regulated cell death.

Additionally, the material incorporates ovalbumin (OVA) as a model antigen to enhance vaccine-like immune responses and activates the cGAS-STING signaling pathway, a crucial element of innate immune activation. These combined effects stimulate a robust anti-tumor immune response, effectively suppressing both melanoma growth and recurrence.

Beyond its therapeutic capabilities, pLCGM-OVA also functions as a T₁-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent, enabling simultaneous diagnosis and treatment—a promising step toward advanced cancer theranostics.

This study represents a significant leap forward in nanomedicine and cancer immunotherapy, offering new hope for more effective treatments for melanoma.

Schematic illustration of the preparation route and anti-tumor mechanism of pLCGM-OVA (Image by LI Qingdong)