China has made a significant leap in immunotherapy with the creation of the world’s most powerful vaccine booster, capable of enhancing immune responses by up to 150 times, as reported by the South China Morning Post. This innovative technology holds the potential to revolutionize cancer therapies and improve vaccine effectiveness, particularly against fast-evolving viruses like Covid-19.
The collaborative research, conducted by Sun Yat-sen University, Fudan University, and Liaoning University, was published in Nature on March 27, 2025.
How the Advanced Vaccine Booster Operates
At the heart of this breakthrough is a delivery system known as SABER, an acronym for “STING Agonist-Based ER-Targeting Molecules.” Traditional vaccines aim to stimulate the immune system, but their success is often hindered by the challenge of delivering antigens — molecules that trigger an immune response — to the correct parts of immune cells.
To be effective, a vaccine must ensure that antigens reach CD8+ T cells, the immune cells responsible for combating cancer and infections. The process includes three main steps:
- Transporting antigens into antigen-presenting cells (APCs), which help identify threats.
- Activating APCs to signal other immune cells.
- Ensuring the antigen reaches the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where immune responses are adjusted.
SABER works as a molecular “elevator,” bypassing cellular barriers and delivering antigens directly to the ER, overcoming the delivery challenges that have limited the effectiveness of conventional vaccines.
Experiment Results
In animal tests, SABER significantly boosted immune responses. In mice with tumours, it halted melanoma progression entirely. While the control group only showed minor tumour growth slowdown, with 90% of mice dying within five weeks, the SABER-treated group saw complete survival.
In infectious disease trials, the technology also demonstrated impressive results. Mice treated with a Covid-19 peptide vaccine and SABER had 150 times stronger T-cell responses than untreated mice, showing a 99% reduction in viral loads in the lungs and brains of the SABER group.
Why This Discovery Matters
SABER not only enhances T-cell responses but also improves the humoral immune response, which involves the production of antibodies. By converting 30% of CD8+ T cells into antigen-specific cells, SABER far surpasses other methods that usually achieve less than 5%.
This dual action positions SABER as a potential breakthrough for both cancer immunotherapy and vaccine development, offering promising solutions for tackling cancer and infectious diseases.
With ongoing studies, SABER may soon be applied to cancers with distinct antigens and chronic viral infections, marking a pivotal advancement in medical science.
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