Cancer immunotherapy, which uses the body’s immune system to fight tumors, often fails because the environment inside tumors suppresses immune activity. One major culprit is excess lactic acid, which tumors produce in large amounts. This lactic acid stops helpful immune cells (T cells) from working properly, while helping harmful cells that protect the tumor.
The Invention
This invention introduces a lactate oxidase nanocapsule—a tiny capsule (about 20 nanometers wide) that contains the enzyme lactate oxidase. This enzyme breaks down lactic acid and, in the process, releases hydrogen peroxide, a compound that reactivates the immune system within tumors. The enzyme is protected by a special shell made from safe, bio-friendly materials so it can last longer and reach tumors effectively.
What’s New
The core innovation is the nano-encapsulation technique, which wraps lactate oxidase in a stable, cross-linked shell using advanced polymer chemistry. This shell shields the enzyme in the bloodstream and delivers it precisely to the tumor. It not only reduces harmful lactic acid but also turns the tumor environment into one that supports the body’s natural immune defenses.
Benefits
- Cuts down lactic acid in tumors
- Produces hydrogen peroxide to awaken immune cells
- Helps immune cells (including CAR-T cells) work better
- Enhances the effectiveness of existing cancer drugs
- Safe for organs like the liver and kidneys
- Can be injected under the skin, into a vein, or directly into a tumor
Broader Impact
This technology could make cancer immunotherapy work for many more patients. By changing how the immune system interacts with tumors, it offers a promising new way to treat cancers—including breast and skin cancer—while being safer and more targeted than traditional approaches.