Researchers have created a new type of immunotherapy that turns the body’s own immune cells into cancer-fighting cells directly inside the tumor, without needing lab-based cell engineering.
Solid tumors such as lung or liver cancer are hard to treat because they form dense tissue that blocks immune cells. They also weaken nearby macrophages, stopping them from attacking cancer.
To solve this, the researchers injected lipid nanoparticles straight into tumors. These particles deliver mRNA that tells existing macrophages to produce CAR proteins, allowing them to recognize cancer cells. The particles also contain substances that reactivate the macrophages’ suppressed immune functions.
In animal studies, this approach successfully converted normal macrophages into powerful cancer-fighting cells at the tumor site. The treatment slowed tumor growth and triggered a stronger immune response throughout the body.
Because it works inside the body and avoids complex lab procedures, this method could be faster, simpler, and much cheaper than current cell-based cancer therapies.