A nanobody-guided multifunctional T cell engager promotes strong anti-tumor responses via synergistic immuno-photothermal effects

Background T cell-based immunotherapies are facing great challenges in the recruitment and activation of tumor-specific T cells against solid tumors. Among which, utilizing nanobody (Nb) or nanobodies (Nbs) to construct T cell engager has emerged as a more practical potential for enhancing the anti-tumor effectiveness of T cells. Here, we designed a new Nb-guided multifunctional T cell engager (Nb-MuTE) that not only recruited effector T cells into the tumor tissues, but also efficiently activated T cells anti-tumor immunity when synergies with photothermal effect. Results The Nb-MuTE, which was constructed based on an indocyanine green (ICG)-containing liposome with surface conjugation of CD105 and CD3 Nbs, and showed excellent targetability to both tumor and T cells, following enhancement of activation, proliferation and cytokine secretion of tumor-specific T cells. Notably, the immunological anti-tumor functions of Nb-MuTE-mediated T cells were further enhanced by the ICG-induced photothermal effect in vitro and in vivo. Conclusions Such a new platform Nb-MuTE provides a practical and “all-in-one” strategy to potentiate T cell responses for the treatment of solid tumor in clinic.