A research team led by Professor Wang Jun at South China University of Technology (SCUT) has published a paper titled 'Engineering Multi-Specific Nano-Antibodies for Cancer Immunotherapy' in Nature Biomedical Engineering, reporting important research progress in the field of cancer immunotherapy. By developing multi-specific nano-antibodies and promoting their clinical translation and application, the team has provided new technological pathways and innovative concepts for the field.

Figure 1: Schematic illustrating the design of FP-NA and multi-NanoAb with the potential to improve mAb-based cancer immunotherapy.

The team updated the "nano-adaptor" technology in the research. Using genetic engineering techniques, they constructed a recombinant fusion protein composed of an Fc receptor and serum albumin. This fusion protein was then controllably assembled with the biomedical polymer polylactic acid in a "one-step" method, resulting in the successful fabrication of a Fusion Protein–polymer Composite "Nano-Adaptor" (FP-NA). This multi-specific nano-antibody significantly enhances the ability of immune cells, such as T cells and macrophages, to recognize and eliminate tumor cells. The team has completed the scaled-up trial production and key technology validation of the "nano-adaptor," which is expected to overcome the limitations of conventional production technologies, advance the development of new antibody drugs, and open new avenues for treating cancers and other diseases.