Redirecting Tryptophan Metabolism Through Host‐Microbial Crosstalk to Enhance Precise Bioorthogonal Chemoimmunotherapy

Y Yue Sun C Congcong Huang C Chenglong Ma (School of Mechanical Engineering, Jiangnan University 1 , Wuxi 214122,) C Chuanqi Zhao (Laboratory of Chemical Biology and State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization) M Mengmeng Liu (State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization and Laboratory of Chemical Biology) Z Zitong Zhu (State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization and Laboratory of Chemical Biology) Y Yanjie Zhang J Jinsong Ren (Laboratory of Chemical Biology and State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization) X Xiaogang Qu (Laboratory of Chemical Biology and State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Bioorthogonal chemistry offers a promising approach for advancing chemoimmunotherapy, yet two critical challenges remain: (1) achieving deep tumor penetration of catalysts while ensuring precise tumor‐confined prodrug activation, and (2) reversing metabolic immunosuppression to potentiate immunotherapy efficacy. To tackle these issues, here we fabricate a bioorthogonal probiotic nanosystem (NP@ZIF‐8@Apt‐Lr) by engineering prodrug catalysts and an indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase (IDO) inhibitor onto AS1411 aptamer‐modified Lactobacillus reuteri (Lr). AS1411‐guided recognition and GSH‐responsive prodrug decaging provide a double guarantee for tumor‐selective drug activation, enabling localized tumor killing and further immunogenic cell death (ICD). Also, the inherent tumor‐homing properties of Lr endow the nanosystem with the ability of penetrating deep tissue. More crucially, the released IDO inhibitor blocks the immunosuppressive kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism, while Lr redirects tryptophan metabolism toward the immunostimulatory indole‐3‐aldehyde pathway through host‐microbial crosstalk. Upon treatment, NP@ZIF‐8@Apt‐Lr overcomes immune tolerance and stimulates T lymphocyte infiltration into tumors. Furthermore, it significantly enhances the efficacy of chemoimmunotherapy by suppressing bilateral tumor development and inducing an immune memory response. This work presents a new strategy for enhancing bioorthogonal chemoimmunotherapy through precise prodrug activation and probiotic‐mediated metabolic reprogramming by host‐microbial crosstalk.

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

Yue Sun

C

Congcong Huang

C

Chenglong Ma

School of Mechanical Engineering, Jiangnan University 1 , Wuxi 214122,

C

Chuanqi Zhao

Laboratory of Chemical Biology and State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization

M

Mengmeng Liu

State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization and Laboratory of Chemical Biology

Z

Zitong Zhu

State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization and Laboratory of Chemical Biology

Y

Yanjie Zhang

J

Jinsong Ren

Laboratory of Chemical Biology and State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization

X

Xiaogang Qu

Laboratory of Chemical Biology and State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization