Supramolecular Attack Particles (SMAPs) – Nanoparticles from killer T cells engineered for immunotherapeutic use

Applications: Therapeutics, oncology, immunotherapy

SMAPs are particles released from cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) that autonomously kill target cells. They can be engineered to deliver cargoes and functionalised to target specific organs or cells.

Features	Benefits
Naturally produced supramolecular particles.	Low immunogenicity.
Potent endogenous cytotoxic activity, with an innate ability to kill malignant tumour cells.	No or very limited engineering needed for application in oncology or infectious diseases.
Cytotoxic proteinaceous particles comprising a core of perforin/granzyme surrounded by a glycoprotein shell comprising thrombospondins.	Reconstitute from purified components. Store and transport in lyophilised form. Engineering of cargo and shell.
Stable after release from CTLs.	SMAPs remain stable extracellularly for hours.
SMAPs can partner with macrophages by killing targets that can’t be phagocytosed due to CD47 overexpression. Loss of CD47 to avoid SMAPs results in increased phagocytosis.	Fills a niche between biological drugs that stimulate the immune response against cancer and cellular therapies that combine specific recognition with an effector program.

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Supramolecular Attack Particles (SMAPs) – Nanoparticles from killer T cells engineered for immunotherapeutic use

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