[Feature articles] “Toward the top of the DDS” Editor: Kentaro Kogure
Climbing mountain with MacTrigger: DDS technologies to treat cancer
2026 Volume 41 Issue 1 Pages 59-64
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2026 Volume 41 Issue 1 Pages 59-64
Solid tumors often form an immunosuppressive environment, preventing immune cells, such as NK cells and cytotoxic T cells, from attacking the cancer. To address this issue, we prepared engineered macrophages, named MacTrigger, that accumulate in tumors and, upon M2 polarization, release TNF-α to trigger acute inflammation. Intravenously administered MacTrigger converts tumors into inflammatory tissue, allowing the body’s own immune system to treat the cancer. This represents the cancer treatment concept that exploits the cancer’s survival strategy, attracting significant attention. This paper introduces MacTrigger characteristics and its prospects.
