The nanomotors' surface contains a STING agonist, a crucial molecule in immune system activation.
We have shown that our approach is more effective than conventional BCG treatment in mice, which is a breakthrough in immunotherapy for this type of cancer.
Samuel Sánchez, Study Co-Leader and ICREA Research Professor, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC)
The researchers paired the nanomotors with a PD-1 inhibitor, a medication that prevents tumor cells from using an escape mechanism, to further strengthen the immune response.
“The combination of our nanomotors with the anti-PD-1 treatment showed a remarkable synergy that could lead to more effective combination therapies with fewer side effects,” added Sánchez.
The study marks a significant advancement in the hunt for novel treatment approaches for bladder cancer, a condition that necessitates intensive and protracted care due to its high recurrence rate.
This study's participants included PHI BIOMED Co., the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), CIC biomaGUNE of the Basque Country, Seoul National University, and Seoul National University Hospital.
Journal Reference:
Choi, H., et al. (2025) Urease-powered nanomotor containing STING agonist for bladder cancer immunotherapy. Nature Communications. doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54293-z