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Cancer

Ultrasound-Guided Nano-Modulator Shows Promise for Enhanced Immunotherapy Against Cancer

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Research from Zhengzhou University has led to the development of an ultrasound-visualized methionine partitioning nano-modulator that aims to improve the efficacy of tumor immunotherapy. This innovative approach involves reducing methionine uptake by tumor cells, suppressing tumor glycolysis, and alleviating the acidic tumor microenvironment. By leveraging ultrasound guidance and liquid-gas phase transitions, the nano-modulator is capable of real-time tumor visualization, enhanced drug penetration, and release at the tumor site.

Key Takeaways:

  • The research was funded by the Henan Rehabilitation Clinical Medical Research Center, Medical Appropriate Technology Promotion Project of Henan Province, and Henan Provincial Science and Technology Research Project.
  • The study was conducted by a team of researchers from Zhengzhou University, led by Lianzhong Zhang, and published in the journal Chemical Engineering Journal in 2025.
  • The nano-modulator utilizes erythrocyte membrane-hybridized liposomes loaded with the glycolysis inhibitor lonidamine (LND) and small interfering RNA (siRNA) against methionine transporter solute carrier family 43, member 2 (SLC43A2).
  • The research demonstrated enhanced immunotherapy outcomes through metabolic modulation and microenvironment regulation.
  • The study has been peer-reviewed and concludes that the ultrasound-visualized methionine partitioning nano-modulator effectively reshapes tumor metabolism and immunosuppressive TME under ultrasound guidance.
  • Additional authors for this research include Yingying Zhao, Juan Zhang, Rong Huang, Ru Jiang, Rui Zhang, Qi Zhou, Linlin Zhang, Xiaoxia Xu, Zesheng Li, Si Chen, Beibei Zhang, Lianfeng Mo, Xu Zhang, Siyi Yang, Shaobo Duan, Yaqiong Li, Yuzhou Wang, Yongchao Wang, and Xiguo Cai.

Statistics:

  • The study was published in the journal Chemical Engineering Journal in 2025 (Elsevier Science Sa, PO Box 564, 1001 Lausanne, Switzerland).
  • The research was conducted at Zhengzhou University, Henan Province People's Hospital, Dept. of Ultrasound, People's Hospital, Zhengzhou 450003, People's Republic of China.
  • The nano-modulator is loaded with the glycolysis inhibitor lonidamine (LND) and small interfering RNA (siRNA) against methionine transporter solute carrier family 43, member 2 (SLC43A2).
  • The study concludes that the ultrasound-visualized methionine partitioning nano-modulator enhances methionine availability for T cells and improves T cell activity by downregulating SLC43A2 expression.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Recent Findings in Cancer Gene Therapy Described by Researchers from Zhengzhou University (An Ultrasound-visualized Methionine Partitioning Nano-modulator for Enhanced Immunotherapy Against Anti-pd-1 Resistant Tumors). Immunotherapy Weekly. September 3, 2025; p 37.
  • An Ultrasound-visualized Methionine Partitioning Nano-modulator for Enhanced Immunotherapy Against Anti-pd-1 Resistant Tumors. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2025;519.

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