Sungkyunkwan University Unveils 14.3-Fold Stronger Oral Cancer Nano-Drug Prodrug 201
Updated
Updated · dongascience.com · Aug 10
Sungkyunkwan University Unveils 14.3-Fold Stronger Oral Cancer Nano-Drug Prodrug 201
3 articles · Updated · dongascience.com · Aug 10
Summary
Prodrug 201, an oral nano-immunotherapy built from the gut microbe metabolite DHB, was reported as the first microbiome-based oral anticancer nanodrug and published in Nature Nanotechnology on Aug. 10.
14.3-fold higher bioavailability solved DHB’s key weakness—its disappearance within minutes in the body—after researchers converted it into an olive-oil nanoemulsion with a modified chemical structure.
DHB boosted stem-like CD8+ T cells by suppressing the glycolytic process linked to T-cell exhaustion, helping the immune cells survive longer and keep attacking tumors.
Animal tests in colorectal cancer, melanoma and breast cancer showed significant tumor shrinkage; combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors, the drug achieved complete tumor eradication and suppressed recurrence.
The work, led by Sungkyunkwan University with the University of Michigan, points to a commercialization path for next-generation microbiome-based cancer immunotherapies using safe materials and simple manufacturing.