Core Viewpoint - A research team from Zhejiang University has developed a novel cancer immunotherapy platform by repurposing mast cells, traditionally involved in allergic reactions, to deliver anti-cancer drugs directly to tumor sites, enhancing the immune response against cancer [2][5]. Group 1: Research Background and Methodology - The study published in the journal Cell describes a targeted therapy platform using engineered mast cells that act as "couriers" to deliver anti-tumor drugs by utilizing tumor-associated antigens as "allergens" [2][5]. - The engineered mast cells, sensitized with IgE antibodies specific to tumor markers, can migrate to tumor sites and trigger a rapid immune response, transforming "cold tumors" into "hot tumors" that are more susceptible to immune attack [5][11]. Group 2: Drug Delivery Mechanism - The engineered IgE-MC platform can carry various therapeutic agents, including oncolytic viruses, chemotherapy drugs, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and mRNA vaccines, with a focus on delivering oncolytic viruses [7][9]. - The oncolytic viruses can selectively infect and lyse tumor cells, and the IgE-MC protects these viruses from being cleared by the immune system during intravenous administration [9][10]. Group 3: Efficacy and Safety - In mouse models, treatment with OV@IgE-MC showed significant efficacy, with 60% of mice surviving beyond 25 days in the B16F10-OVA melanoma model, compared to a control group that all died within 15 days [11][12]. - Safety assessments indicated that injected IgE-MC are cleared within two weeks without disrupting mast cell homeostasis or inducing systemic allergic reactions, and they reduced liver toxicity compared to free oncolytic viruses [16][15]. Group 4: Future Prospects - The technology allows for personalized cancer treatment by matching specific IgE antibodies to patient tumor markers, simplifying the preparation process compared to traditional CAR-T cell therapies [18][19]. - The research team plans to establish a screening process for patient-specific IgE and explore combinations with existing immunotherapies, aiming to bring this innovative "tumor allergy" therapy from the lab to clinical application [19][18].