Efficient Artificial T Cell Therapy for Bacterial‐Colonized Tumors

S Shiyu Zhang (Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 100 West 18th Avenue, Columbus, Ohios 43210, United States) H Han Zhu (State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Frontiers Science Centre for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Research Centre for Analytical Sciences, College of Chemistry, School of Medicine, and Frontiers Science Centre for Cell Responses) X Xintao Peng (State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology Frontiers Science Centre for New Organic Matter Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition Research Centre for Analytical Sciences College of Chemistry School of Medicine and Frontiers Science Centre for Cell Responses Nankai University Tianjin 300071 P. R. China) Y Yang Zhou R Rentang Huang (State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Frontiers Science Centre for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Research Centre for Analytical Sciences, College of Chemistry, School of Medicine, and Frontiers Science Centre for Cell Responses) Y Yi‐Fan Wang (State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition Frontiers Science Centre For New Organic Matter Research Centre for Analytical Sciences College of Chemistry School of Medicine and Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses Nankai University Tianjin P.R. China) S Shu‐Lin Liu (State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition Frontiers Science Centre For New Organic Matter Research Centre for Analytical Sciences College of Chemistry School of Medicine and Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses Nankai University Tianjin P.R. China) Z Zhi‐Gang Wang (State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition Frontiers Science Centre For New Organic Matter Research Centre for Analytical Sciences College of Chemistry School of Medicine and Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses Nankai University Tianjin P.R. China)

Abstract

AbstractTumor‐colonizing bacteria can impede the efficacy of cancer treatments and elevate the risk of metastatic spread. While cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are essential for destroying tumor cells, they lack the ability to eliminate bacteria. Here, the artificial T cells (ATC) are presented for tumors, particularly those colonized with intracellular bacteria. The ATC is composed of a hydrogel framework made of disulfide‐linked chitosan and hyaluronic acid, encapsulating T cell‐derived granzyme B and phage‐derived holin. This design leverages the tumor microenvironment for the targeted release of these antitumor and antibacterial agents to precisely kill tumor cells and intracellular bacteria. In vivo studies demonstrate the debris from ATC‐mediated destruction acts as an immune stimulator, promoting immune cell infiltration and inhibiting tumor migration. This work highlights the potential of ATC therapy in achieving targeted treatment and robust anti‐tumor immunity, advancing the field of artificial cell technologies for precision medicine.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 37, Issue 33
Published August 01, 2025
ISSN 0935-9648
Publisher Unknown Publisher

Journal Info

Advanced Materials

Unknown Publisher

ISSN: 0935-9648 Physical Sciences

Authors (8)

S

Shiyu Zhang

Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, 100 West 18th Avenue, Columbus, Ohios 43210, United States

H

Han Zhu

State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Frontiers Science Centre for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Research Centre for Analytical Sciences, College of Chemistry, School of Medicine, and Frontiers Science Centre for Cell Responses

X

Xintao Peng

State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology Frontiers Science Centre for New Organic Matter Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition Research Centre for Analytical Sciences College of Chemistry School of Medicine and Frontiers Science Centre for Cell Responses Nankai University Tianjin 300071 P. R. China

Y

Yang Zhou

R

Rentang Huang

State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Frontiers Science Centre for New Organic Matter, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, Research Centre for Analytical Sciences, College of Chemistry, School of Medicine, and Frontiers Science Centre for Cell Responses

Y

Yi‐Fan Wang

State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition Frontiers Science Centre For New Organic Matter Research Centre for Analytical Sciences College of Chemistry School of Medicine and Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses Nankai University Tianjin P.R. China

S

Shu‐Lin Liu

State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition Frontiers Science Centre For New Organic Matter Research Centre for Analytical Sciences College of Chemistry School of Medicine and Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses Nankai University Tianjin P.R. China

Z

Zhi‐Gang Wang

State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition Frontiers Science Centre For New Organic Matter Research Centre for Analytical Sciences College of Chemistry School of Medicine and Frontiers Science Center for Cell Responses Nankai University Tianjin P.R. China