Study Finds New Oral Drug Increased Ability of T Cells to Attack Tumors

The researchers used a compound created by gut bacteria to develop the drug.

Aug. 25, 2026

2 min read

Key Highlights

The new drug is based on 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB), a metabolite produced by gut bacteria during fiber digestion.
It functions as an oral prodrug that activates in target tissues, enhancing T cell memory and anti-tumor activity.
In mouse studies, the combination of the drug with checkpoint inhibitors eradicated tumors and established long-term immune memory.
This approach represents the first successful development of a microbial metabolite into an oral immunotherapy for cancer.
The findings suggest potential for improved, long-lasting cancer treatments that harness the body's natural microbiome.

6a8ddd557e693fa8c0453f3b Drug Development

A new study published in Nature Nanotechnology found that a newly developed oral drug increased the ability of T cells to attack tumors.

The drug is in a class of cancer treatment called immune checkpoint blockade, which releases the natural brakes in the immune system to allow T cells to find and destroy cancer cells.

The researchers used 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, or DHB, that is produced by gut bacteria to develop this new drug. This marks the first time that natural microbial metabolites have been shown to be developed as a new oral formulation for immunotherapy. Checkpoint immunotherapy typically fails because the T cells lose their killing capacity over time.

DHB is normally produced in the gut during the breakdown of dietary fiber. It trained T cells to become memory T cells, which are the engines of cancer immunotherapy. They multiply quickly and drive anti-tumor immune responses. The researchers created a prodrug with DHB, converting it into an inactive precursor that transforms into an active drug after it reaches the target tissues. This is supposed to help the body absorb the compound.

In mice models, tumors were eradicated when they were given the prodrug in combination with immune checkpoint blockade therapy. Their immune systems also developed long-term memory that could prevent tumor recurrence.