Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) have been proposed as a therapeutic approach to shut down the production of faulty proteins in a wide variety of diseases, including cancer. In a study to be published August 11 in the Journal of Cell Biology (JCB), researchers at the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute and the University of Glasgow identify a pathway by which ASOs enter cells and reach their targets, suggesting new ways to enhance the effectiveness of antisense therapy.

Researchers identified two opposing tumor-associated macrophage states that regulate T cell interferon signaling and immunotherapy response in gastric cancer. An interferon-responsive immune niche predicts improved outcomes, while lipid-driven macrophages suppress T cell function and contribute to resistance.

Bacteria naturally release microscopic particles known as bacterial extracellular vesicles. This review considers how these vesicles could be adapted for precision cancer medicine, from carrying drugs and activating immune responses to limiting metastasis and identifying cancer biomarkers. It also examines the practical obstacles ahead, including inconsistent production, safety risks, contamination and the lack of shared manufacturing and quality standards.

Engineered a DHB prodrug-based oral nano-emulsion with enhanced bioavailability, dramatically improving the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade therapy