Targeted Delivery of Indole‐3‐Pyruvic Acid Suppresses Macrophage Ferroptosis to Enhance CD8 + T Cell‐Mediated Immunotherapy Response in Bladder Cancer

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Authors: Jianwen Lao, Xinhao Yuan, Shuai Liang, Kai Deng, Daqin Wu, Longhao Xu, K Q Zheng, Yuxin Lin, Peicong Cai, Haoran Zheng, J K Chen, Mingli Luo
+4 more Yuehua Chen, Xiong Chen, Chunhui Wang, W L Zhong
Cited by: 1
References: 35

Abstract

ABSTRACT Intratumoral microbiota‐related metabolites are emerging regulators of tumor immunity, yet their therapeutic potential remains largely unexplored. Here, indole‐3‐pyruvic acid (I3P), a Lactobacillus‐associated tryptophan metabolite, is identified as a molecule associated with immunotherapy response in bladder cancer. Mechanistically, I3P suppresses macrophages ferroptosis and sustains CD8 + T cell activity through an AHR–NF‐κB–SLC7A11 signaling axis that maintains macrophages redox homeostasis. Disruption of AHR or NF‐κB signaling abolishes these effects. Notably, liposomal delivery of I3P facilitates efficient targeting of tumor‐associated macrophages and enhances immunotherapy response without apparent toxicity. Together, these findings identify I3P as an immunoregulatory metabolite that potentiates anti‐tumor immunity and support nanoparticle‐mediated delivery as a promising strategy for immunotherapy sensitization in bladder cancer.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Ferroptosis and cancer prognosis Immune cells in cancer Gut microbiota and health

Publication details

Journal / source
Advanced Science
Publisher
Wiley
Volume
13
Issue
53
Pages
e76319–e76319
Publication date
2 July 2026
Language
EN