Targeted Nanoparticles Help Overcome Immunotherapy Resistance in Mouse Cancer Models
Published in Drugs development & discovery, Immunology, Nanomedicine.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center reported a nanoparticle approach that targets a small population of senescent macrophages associated with fibrosis. Their findings were published in Science on September 24, 2026.
These immune cells help sustain scar tissue and immune suppression around certain tumors. In mouse models of lung and liver disease, eliminating or disabling the cells reduced these barriers and enabled checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy to shrink previously resistant tumors.
The nanoparticle platform targets P-selectin and was used to deliver drugs to the implicated cells. The work links targeted drug delivery with research on cellular senescence and the tumor microenvironment.
The therapeutic evidence remains preclinical. Findings in human samples strengthen the biological relevance, but do not demonstrate that this treatment is safe or effective in patients. The research also does not establish an anti-aging treatment or an application to cryonics revival.