Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a new method to activate the immune system against cancer with greater precision and fewer side effects.
The breakthrough focuses on the STING pathway, a cellular alarm system that signals the immune system to attack tumours. While existing drugs targeting STING have shown potential, their activation in healthy tissues often leads to dangerous side effects.
To overcome this, the Cambridge team designed a two-part “prodrug” system made of harmless components that only combine and activate inside tumours. One component is kept inactive until it encounters β-glucuronidase, an enzyme abundant in tumours but rare in healthy tissues. Once unlocked, it reacts with the second component to create a potent STING activator, triggering the immune response only at the cancer site.
Tests in zebrafish and mice showed the drug activated almost exclusively in tumours, sparing vital organs. Results published in Nature Chemistry highlight this as a significant advance for STING-based therapies, offering a path toward safer and more effective cancer treatments.
