An Immune Nanoenhancer Revitalizes Chemotherapeutics to Tailor Tumor‐Derived dsDNA for Anticancer Immunoengineering

Y Yiming Liu (Department of Pharmacy, College of Biology) Y Yachao Li (Department of Pharmacy, College of Biology) W Wensheng Gong (Department of Pharmacy, College of Biology) D Dongzhe Zou (Department of Pharmacy, College of Biology) B Beiling Guo (Department of Pharmacy, College of Biology) Z Zenan Zeng (Department of Pharmacy, College of Biology) X Xiaoxiao Li (Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University) Y Yini Xu X Xianghui Xu (Department of Pharmacy, College of Biology)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Immunotherapy has revolutionized the landscape of cancer treatment; however, most current strategies target only isolated steps of the cancer‐immunity cycle and therefore struggle to achieve durable clinical success. Central to immune surveillance, the cGAS‐STING pathway orchestrates innate and adaptive responses by promoting dendritic cell maturation, cytotoxic T lymphocyte infiltration, and durable immunological memory. However, chemotherapeutic activation of this axis remains elusive due to a paucity of safe, efficacious, and translatable inducers of tumor‐derived double‐stranded DNA (dsDNA). Here, we report a rationally engineered immune nanoenhancer platform–C‐iNE/A, that reprograms approved chemotherapeutics to initiate robust dsDNA‐driven cGAS‐STING activation in tumors even at low drug doses. Guided by machine learning, we optimize chemotherapeutic encapsulation and combine it with photophysically triggered mild hyperthermia to impair DNA repair while sparing healthy tissues. This cascade promotes intratumoral dsDNA accumulation, immunogenic release, and sustained immune activation. C‐iNE/A elicited potent immune responses across tumor models, enhancing dendritic cell maturation, amplifying cytotoxic T lymphocyte infiltration, suppressing metastasis, and establishing memory T cell populations. Our approach establishes a generalizable strategy to convert conventional chemotherapeutics into immune activators at safe drug doses, offering a clinically relevant platform to overcome current limitations in STING‐based immunotherapy and advance the next generation of tumor‐immunomodulatory regimens.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 38, Issue 10
Published February 01, 2026
ISSN 0935-9648
Publisher Unknown Publisher

Journal Info

Advanced Materials

Unknown Publisher

ISSN: 0935-9648 Physical Sciences

Authors (9)

Y

Yiming Liu

Department of Pharmacy, College of Biology

Y

Yachao Li

Department of Pharmacy, College of Biology

W

Wensheng Gong

Department of Pharmacy, College of Biology

D

Dongzhe Zou

Department of Pharmacy, College of Biology

B

Beiling Guo

Department of Pharmacy, College of Biology

Z

Zenan Zeng

Department of Pharmacy, College of Biology

X

Xiaoxiao Li

Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University

Y

Yini Xu

X

Xianghui Xu

Department of Pharmacy, College of Biology