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.
Authors
- Jinbing Xie
- Di Chang
- Daoshuang Li
- Z. Y. Xu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8626-1276)
- Y. Li
- Jing Xu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-5968-1704)
- Jianqiong Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7446-6397)
- Zhiqi Zhang
- Zebin Xiao
- Shenghong Ju
- Jie Yang
Institutions
- Harbin Medical University (CN)
- Zhongda Hospital Southeast University (CN)
- Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University (CN)
- Southeast University (CN)
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
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00