An enzyme-responsive nanoplatform rewires host-microbe tryptophan metabolism for cancer immunotherapy.

An enzyme-responsive nanoplatform enhances cancer immunotherapy by rewiring host-microbe tryptophan metabolism, boosting antitumor immunity with 92% tumor reduction in mice.

• Why it matters: Imbalanced tryptophan metabolism causes tumor immune tolerance, limiting the effectiveness of current immunotherapies. Addressing this metabolic dysregulation is crucial for improving treatment outcomes.
• What they did: Researchers developed an oral nanoplatform using mesoporous silica nanoparticles loaded with tryptophan and coated with agar containing NLG919, enabling enzyme-triggered release in the large intestine to modulate microbial and host pathways.
• The result: This strategy selectively promotes microbial indole derivatives and suppresses the immunosuppressive kynurenine pathway, resulting in significant tumor regression and a safe, metabolism-guided approach for cancer treatment.