Programmable nanomicelles rewire myeloid immunity for durable control of primary and metastatic breast cancer

Immunosuppressive myeloid cells, including immature dendritic cells (DC) and tumor-promoting macrophages, drive tumor progression and immune evasion. Reprogramming these cells into immune effectors remains challenging. Here, we present a programmable nanomicelle platform that reconfigures myeloid immunity to combat both primary and metastatic breast cancer (BC). The nanomicelles co-deliver photosensitizers (IR825), anti-PD-L1 antibodies, and antagomiR-182 with spatiotemporal precision. Upon activation, they induce immunogenic cell death, promoting DC maturation to enhance antigen presentation. Concurrently, miR-182 inhibition repolarizes M2-like macrophages into M1-like phenotypes via the TLR4/MYD88/NF-κB pathway. This dual reprogramming enhances CD8<sup>+</sup> T cell infiltration and functionality, driving durable anti-tumor responses. In multiple BC models, the platform suppresses tumor growth, prevents metastasis, and induces long-term immune memory. Its efficacy and immunomodulatory effects were further validated in a patient-derived tumor fragment assay and patient-derived xenograft models, highlighting translational potential. This work offers a clinically relevant strategy to rewire tumor-promoting myeloid cells for cancer immunotherapy.

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Publication Details

Journal
Nature Communications
Published
2026-03-17
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-70859-5
Primary Topic
Immune cells in cancer
Type
article
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article

Programmable nanomicelles rewire myeloid immunity for durable control of primary and metastatic breast cancer

Jinbing Xie, Di Chang, Daoshuang Li, Z. Y. Xu et al.
Nature Communications
Immune cells in cancer
article

Programmable nanomicelles rewire myeloid immunity for durable control of primary and metastatic breast cancer

Jinbing Xie, Di Chang, Daoshuang Li, Z. Y. Xu, Y. Li, Jing Xu, Jianqiong Zhang, Zhiqi Zhang, Zebin Xiao, Shenghong Ju, Jie Yang
article en

Abstract

Immunosuppressive myeloid cells, including immature dendritic cells (DC) and tumor-promoting macrophages, drive tumor progression and immune evasion. Reprogramming these cells into immune effectors remains challenging. Here, we present a programmable nanomicelle platform that reconfigures myeloid immunity to combat both primary and metastatic breast cancer (BC). The nanomicelles co-deliver photosensitizers (IR825), anti-PD-L1 antibodies, and antagomiR-182 with spatiotemporal precision. Upon activation, they induce immunogenic cell death, promoting DC maturation to enhance antigen presentation. Concurrently, miR-182 inhibition repolarizes M2-like macrophages into M1-like phenotypes via the TLR4/MYD88/NF-κB pathway. This dual reprogramming enhances CD8<sup>+</sup> T cell infiltration and functionality, driving durable anti-tumor responses. In multiple BC models, the platform suppresses tumor growth, prevents metastasis, and induces long-term immune memory. Its efficacy and immunomodulatory effects were further validated in a patient-derived tumor fragment assay and patient-derived xenograft models, highlighting translational potential. This work offers a clinically relevant strategy to rewire tumor-promoting myeloid cells for cancer immunotherapy.

Nature Communications
Harbin Medical University (CN), Zhongda Hospital Southeast University (CN), Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University (CN), Southeast University (CN)
Openalex Percentile: Top 18%
Immune cells in cancer
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