(Press-News.org) Because many different types of cancer cells overexpress programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), this cell surface protein is a major target of cancer immunotherapy. Unfortunately, drugs that target it do not trigger especially strong anti-cancer immune responses. New research published in Advanced Science reveals a promising strategy that harnesses pre-existing antiviral immunity to boost anti-tumor responses.
Researchers engineered what they call a PD-L1-binding antigen presenter (PBAP) that functions as a molecular bridge between tumor cells and immune cells. The construct fuses a protein segment that specifically binds to tumor-expressed PD-L1 with a highly immunogenic viral antigen, called varicella-zoster virus glycoprotein E (gE).
Experiments in cells and mouse models demonstrated that PBAP effectively anchors to PD-L1 on tumor surfaces, thereby tagging cancer cells with a viral signature recognized by the immune system. The strategy holds significant potential because most adults carry high amounts of anti-gE antibodies resulting from prior vaccination or natural infection. These pre-existing antibodies recognize PBAP-decorated tumor cells and execute a dual function: they trigger natural killer cells into action while simultaneously binding to the PBAP-gE complexes on tumor surfaces. This redirection transforms virus-specific immune memory into precision anti-cancer weapons.
Importantly, this strategy can extend beyond viral antigens. As an example, the researchers created PBAP-HER2, which redirected HER2-targeting therapies to eliminate HER2-negative, PD-L1-positive tumor cells. This expands applicability to multiple tumor types, addressing unmet needs for hard-to-treat cancers lacking effective targeted therapies.
“This strategy represents a lower-cost, safer avenue for tumor immunotherapy,” remarked Fan Zou, PhD, Professor at Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology. “It opens a transformative pathway that repurposes the body's natural antiviral defenses for therapeutic gain, with significant promise for clinical translation.”
URL upon publication: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/advs.202519574
Additional Information
NOTE: The information contained in this release is protected by copyright. Please include journal attribution in all coverage. For more information or to obtain a PDF of any study, please contact: Sara Henning-Stout, newsroom@wiley.com.
About the Journal
Advanced Science, part of the prestigious Wiley Advanced portfolio, is an open access interdisciplinary science journal publishing the best-in-class fundamental and applied research in materials science, physics, chemistry, medical and life sciences, and engineering. Our mission is to give top science the maximum accessibility through open access publishing.
About Wiley
Wiley is a global leader in authoritative content and research intelligence for the advancement of scientific discovery, innovation, and learning. With more than 200 years at the center of the scholarly ecosystem, Wiley combines trusted publishing heritage with AI-powered platforms to transform how knowledge is discovered, accessed, and applied. From individual researchers and students to Fortune 500 R&D teams, Wiley enables the transformation of scientific breakthroughs into real-world impact. From knowledge to impact—Wiley is redefining what's possible in science and learning. Visit us at Wiley.com and Investors.Wiley.com. Follow us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram.
END
Could a treatment redirect the body’s anti-viral immune response to target cancer cells?
2026-02-11
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
How does universal, free prescription drug coverage affect older adults’ finances and behaviors?
2026-02-11
In 2016, Poland introduced a nationwide policy eliminating all out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs prescribed by healthcare professionals to individuals aged 75 and older. A new study published in Health Economics finds that the policy reduced average out-of-pocket medication spending by 23% and cut catastrophic drug expenses by 62%, indicating substantial financial protection during major health shocks.
The financial gains, however, were not evenly distributed. The evidence suggests that higher-income and urban households benefited more, pointing to the ...
Do certain factors affect life expectancy in people with spina bifida?
2026-02-11
Studies have reported on survival probabilities of people born with open spina bifida, a condition where the spinal cord and nerves are exposed through an opening in the back. Research published in Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology now provides life expectancies, with results reported by age, sex, and different levels of impairment.
In the study of 1,659 patients with open spina bifida who received support from the California Department of Developmental Services in 1986–2019, survival varied significantly by walking and feeding ability and by bowel/bladder continence.
As an example, at age 5, the life expectancy was 27 additional years for males in ...
New study: Routine aspirin therapy prevents severe preeclampsia in at-risk populations
2026-02-11
Embargoed until 10:15 AM PST, February 11, 2026
Las Vegas, NV – Prescribing daily aspirin at the first prenatal visit to all pregnant patients was associated with an overall reduction in the development of severe preeclampsia, according to new research presented today at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) 2026 Pregnancy Meeting™.
Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication that includes persistently high blood pressure and signs of organ damage such as protein ...
Afraid of chemistry at school? It’s not all the subject’s fault
2026-02-11
Raise your hand if you dreaded chemistry lessons at school. Apart from a few exceptional cases, this discipline is often perceived as difficult, abstract and removed from real life. This affects students’ motivation and choices, discouraging them from pursuing academic and professional careers in this important and, in fact, fascinating field.
In a new article published in JCOM, a team of Brazilian researchers — Ariane Carolina da Rocha, Ana Carolina Steola and Ana Cláudia Kasseboehmer, all from the Instituto de Química ...
How tech-dependency and pandemic isolation have created ‘anxious generation’
2026-02-11
Unchecked use of technology and pandemic isolation have ‘reshaped’ how teenagers develop – but it’s not too late to intervene.
This is the stark warning of educator Amber Chandler, who suggests teens are struggling with unprecedented levels of anxiety in this ‘scared new world’, which presents a major challenge for parents and schools. However, the teacher says children can learn to flourish and thrive if given the right support.
No phones at bedtime, ‘no-tech’ ...
Nearly three quarters of US baby foods are ultra-processed, new study finds
2026-02-11
An alarming 71 percent of grocery store baby food products in the United States are classified as ultra-processed foods (UPFs), according to new research published today in the scientific journal Nutrients.1
Researchers at The George Institute for Global Health analyzed data on 651 products from the Institute’s FoodSwitch database, which includes infant and toddler food products sold in the top ten US grocery store chains. The products were assessed using the well-established NOVA classification system.
UPFs are defined as industrially made products created from highly processed ingredients and additives.2 Such products tend ...
Nonablative radiofrequency may improve sexual function in postmenopausal women
2026-02-11
CLEVELAND, Ohio (Feb 11, 2026)—Hormone declines during menopause can cause genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), a cluster of vulvovaginal and urinary symptoms that can significantly impair a woman’s quality of life. Local estrogen therapy is effective in relieving genitourinary symptoms, but a new study suggests nonablative capacitive-resistive monopolar radiofrequency (CRMRF) may also be effective in restoring vaginal and sexual health. Study results are published online today in Menopause, the journal of The Menopause Society.
Genitourinary syndrome of menopause is estimated to affect at least half of postmenopausal women. Common symptoms include ...
Pulsed dynamic water electrolysis: Mass transfer enhancement, microenvironment regulation, and hydrogen production optimization
2026-02-11
As the global demand for clean hydrogen continues to grow, the limitations of conventional steady-state water electrolysis in terms of energy efficiency, mass transfer, and system stability become more pronounced. Now, researchers from the School of Energy Science and Engineering at Harbin Institute of Technology, led by Professor Wei Zhou and Professor Jihui Gao, have presented a comprehensive review on pulsed dynamic electrolysis (PDE) and its potential applications in enhancing water electrolysis performance. This work offers valuable insights into the development of next-generation hydrogen production technologies that can ...
Coordination thermodynamic control of magnetic domain configuration evolution toward low‑frequency electromagnetic attenuation
2026-02-11
As the rapid development of Bluetooth technology and 5G communication continues to accelerate, electromagnetic interference issues in the ISM band (2.4–2.48 GHz) for Bluetooth devices, as well as the n77 (3.3–4.2 GHz), n78 (3.3–3.8 GHz), and n79 (4.4–5.0 GHz) bands for 5G communications, have become increasingly severe. Now, researchers from Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang University, Jiangxi Agricultural University, and Fudan University, led by Professor Chongbo Liu, Professor Yuhui Peng, Professor Guangsheng Luo, and Professor Xuliang Nie, ...
High‑density 1D ionic wire arrays for osmotic energy conversion
2026-02-11
As the global demand for clean and renewable energy continues to rise, harvesting low-grade energy sources such as salinity gradients has attracted increasing attention. However, achieving both high ion selectivity and high ionic conductivity in ion-exchange membranes remains a major challenge, limiting practical power output. Now, researchers from Qingdao University, Beihang University, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, led by Professor Xin Sui, Professor Lilong Gao, Professor Longcheng Gao, and Professor Kunyan Sui, report a breakthrough strategy based on high-density ...