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Tian Zhang: Translational Research on Immunotherapy Nanoparticles Published in Molecular Cancer

Tian Zhang/utswmed.org

Jun 28, 2025, 23:19

Tian Zhang: Translational Research on Immunotherapy Nanoparticles Published in Molecular Cancer

Tian Zhang, Associate Director of Clinical Research at the Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, shared a post on X:

“Last week Dr. Andy Wang and I published 1st of our translational research in Molecular Cancer, developing a multifunctional immunotherapy nanoparticle (MINP) to treat kidney cancer. Thanks to Kinman Au and Siqing Li, 2 of our postdocs from UTSW Simmons Cancer Center who did the work.

Premised on the future of immunotherapy to engage both innate and adaptive immune systems, this MINP binds CA9 on RCC cells and delivers anti-4-1BB and anti-CD27 Abs. Both a4-1BB and aCD27 Abs are potent immune agonists activating both adaptive and innate immune response.

Tian Zhang

Because each nanoparticle is engineered with dozens of each antibody, this nanoformulation facilitates a “clustering effect”, which is critical for maximum signaling effects of 4-1BB and CD27 pathways.

Tian Zhang

After making these MINPs, our team showed these can activate both T-cells and NK cells in vitro – both adaptive and innate immune activation.

Tian Zhang

This MINP (aCA9, a4-1BB and aCD27) is highly effective against RCCs that overexpresses CA9, here with a series of well controlled NP studies showing best effect with the MINP in a xenograft model of RAG/hCA-9 cells.

Tian Zhang

Importantly, this novel MINP can overcome decreases in adaptive immunity attributed to aging in this #RCC model. In humanized mice with PBMCs from young donors, MINPs inhibit tumor growth, with 2 CRs — compared to mice with PBMCs from older donors having only PRs and no CRs.

Tian Zhang

Supported by David Lee KCRP Idea Development Award. We are grateful for the funding and the chance to make a difference for our patients with kidney cancer.”

Title: Biologically targeted dual adaptive and innate nano-Immunotherapy for clear cell renal cell carcinoma treatment

Authors: Kin Man Au, Siqing Li, Tian Zhang, Andrew Z. Wang

Read the Full Article.

Tian Zhang

Andrew Z. Wang cancer David Lee immunotherapy kidney cancer Kin Man Au Kinman Au MINP OncoDaily Oncology Siqing Li Tian Zhang UTSW Simmons Cancer Center

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