Precision nanobody acts as ‘drone strike’ against lung cancer cells, minimizing side effects

A research team has developed a nanobody-based technology that can precisely identify and attack only lung cancer cells, opening new possibilities for cancer therapy.

This breakthrough addresses the limitations of conventional chemotherapy by reducing harmful side effects while maximizing cancer cell-killing efficiency. In particular, it shows remarkable therapeutic potential for lung adenocarcinoma, a subtype of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

The study is published in the journal Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy. The team was led by Dr. Juyeon Jung at the Bio-Nano Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB).

Lung cancer is one of the world’s deadliest diseases, claiming millions of lives each year. Among its types, lung adenocarcinoma accounts for over 50% of cases and is characterized by late detection and high recurrence rates. Current chemotherapies often attack healthy cells as well, leading to severe side effects such as hair loss, nausea, and immune suppression, and frequently fail to deliver drugs precisely to cancer cells, reducing treatment effectiveness.

To overcome these challenges, the team developed the A5 nanobody—a miniature antibody that binds specifically to CD155, a protein found in high abundance on lung cancer cells. The A5 nanobody is roughly 10 times smaller than conventional antibodies, enabling it to penetrate deep into tissues. It binds selectively to cancer cells without affecting healthy cells, inhibiting lung cancer cell migration and invasion by more than 50%.

The researchers also engineered A5-LNP-DOX, which combines the A5 nanobody with liposomal capsules containing the anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX). This design acts like a “drone strike,” delivering the drug precisely to CD155 targets on the surface of cancer cells.

In experiments, A5-LNP-DOX delivered up to three times more drug into cancer cells than conventional methods, significantly enhancing cancer cell death while leaving healthy cells largely unharmed.

Tests in animal models and patient-derived organoids showed tumor size reductions of 70–90% and substantial increases in cancer cell death markers. No damage was detected in major organs such as the liver, heart, or kidneys, indicating a highly safe treatment profile.

Dr. Juyeon Jung, the lead researcher, stated, “Our study presents a new therapeutic strategy capable of precisely targeting cancer cells and delivering drugs effectively. We expect this nanobody-based approach to serve as a versatile platform for treating not only lung cancer but also a variety of other cancers, contributing greatly to the advancement of precision medicine.”