Cancer accounted for nearly a third of all disease-related deaths in Hong Kong in 2025. While chemotherapy is still widely used, its side effects and the risk of cancer returning remain major concerns. Newer treatments such as Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy have been developed, but these have shown limited success against solid tumors and can be costly.
Dendritic cell (DC) therapy offers another approach by using a patient's own immune cells to target cancer. However, this method has produced mixed results and involves complex manufacturing processes.
A research team led by Professor Yung Kin-lam from The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) has developed a new silica nanomatrix that aims to address these challenges. This material is described as natural, non-toxic, and highly biocompatible. According to the team, it improves the maturation of dendritic cells, enhances T-cell recognition and destruction of cancer cells, and helps overcome tumor defenses that make targeting difficult. Animal studies indicate that the technology may inhibit tumor growth and strengthen long-term immune responses.
The study was conducted in collaboration with The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University, and Jinan University. The process for culturing dendritic cells using this nanomatrix occurs outside the body, making outcomes less dependent on a patient’s immune status after chemotherapy. This could allow for more consistent results among patients with weakened immunity.
The platform is designed for standardization and large-scale production to help reduce costs and speed up clinical application.
Professor Yung said: "In the silica nanomatrix, dendritic cells adopt a distinctive Z-shaped morphology that increases their surface contact area, enabling more effective transmission of biophysical signals and setting them apart from conventionally cultured DCs. By harnessing biophysical cues instead of high-risk manipulations, our work offers a safer and more scalable pathway for DC vaccines. In future, we will explore the potential of these novel dendritic cells in systemic lupus erythematosus and multiple sclerosis, with the aim of opening up new directions for immunomodulatory therapies."
The research team plans further collaborations with hospitals and laboratories in Hong Kong and Mainland China to improve cell culture protocols, assess therapeutic effectiveness, and advance clinical studies.
