Remote‐Controllable Immune‐Priming Spot Formation Via Nanocomplexed Hydrogel‐Assisted Histotripsy: <i>Immunoasis</i>

S Sung Hoon Kim W Wonseok Choi Y Yurim Kim H Hyeongmin Kim (Bionics Research Center Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) Seoul Republic of Korea) G Gu Won Jeong (Biomaterials Research Center Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) Seoul Republic of Korea) H Hyewon Park (Department of Chemistry) I Inchan Youn (Bionics Research Center Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) Seoul Republic of Korea) Y Yoon Park (Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, Korea, Republic of) S Sungmin Han (Bionics Research Center Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) Seoul Republic of Korea) Y Young‐Min Kim (Department of Energy Science Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) Suwon South Korea)

Abstract

Abstract Immunotherapy, which harnesses the immune system to eliminate cancer cells, offers durable, and specific responses. However, many tumors exhibit “immune deserts” — immunosuppressive microenvironments with low T cell infiltration due to the dominance of suppressive myeloid cells and limited inflammatory cues. Cancer vaccines combining tumor antigens and adjuvants can potentially convert these immune deserts into immune‐active lesions. Yet, systemic administration often leads to adverse effects such as cytokine storms and off‐target immune activation. To address this, we propose “ Immunoasis ”, a spatiotemporally controllable immunotherapeutic system. This platform integrates injectable, adjuvant‐loaded hydrogels with externally triggered boiling histotripsy. The hydrogel enables prolonged local retention of immunostimulatory payloads, while histotripsy disrupts tumor tissues and induces in situ conversion of the gel into nanocomplexes enriched with antigens and adjuvants. This localized activation enhances antigen presentation and promotes T cell recruitment at the tumor site. The tunable nature of the ultrasound stimulus provides flexible treatment scheduling and supports personalized cancer therapy. By establishing immune‐priming niches within the tumor, Immunoasis effectively transforms immune deserts into immune‐responsive microenvironments, enhancing antitumor immunity and improving therapeutic efficacy.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 38, Issue 22
Published April 01, 2026
ISSN 0935-9648
Publisher Unknown Publisher

Journal Info

Advanced Materials

Unknown Publisher

ISSN: 0935-9648 Physical Sciences

Authors (10)

S

Sung Hoon Kim

W

Wonseok Choi

Y

Yurim Kim

H

Hyeongmin Kim

Bionics Research Center Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) Seoul Republic of Korea

G

Gu Won Jeong

Biomaterials Research Center Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) Seoul Republic of Korea

H

Hyewon Park

Department of Chemistry

I

Inchan Youn

Bionics Research Center Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) Seoul Republic of Korea

Y

Yoon Park

Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, Korea, Republic of

S

Sungmin Han

Bionics Research Center Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) Seoul Republic of Korea

Y

Young‐Min Kim

Department of Energy Science Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) Suwon South Korea