Szeged scientists develop mRNA-driven enzyme therapy to boost cancer immunity

Scientists at the HUN-REN Szegedi Biológiai Kutatóközpont are pursuing a novel adjunct cancer therapy that relies on mRNA-encoded bacterial enzymes rather than direct protein injection. By packaging the mRNA in lipid nanocarriers, they aim to trigger tumor-site cells to produce an enzyme that breaks down a metabolite known to suppress immune activity in the tumor microenvironment. One outlet phase is a proof-of-concept preclinical series designed to demonstrate that enzyme production in situ yields the same immunostimulatory, anti-tumor effect as the purified enzyme.

Key challenges include confirming the enzyme’s specificity for the target metabolite and assessing any off-target toxicity. If successful, the approach could be applicable to a broad range of solid tumors that generate the immunosuppressive compound, potentially offering a versatile complement to existing immunotherapies. The work is funded under the HUN-REN Innovate 2026 initiative and involves the SZBK Genetic Institute and the Biochemical Institute’s Tumor Immunology and Pharmacology group.