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Senescence-directed nanotherapy ameliorates fibrosis and overcomes immune exclusion in cancer
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Senescence-directed nanotherapy ameliorates fibrosis and overcomes immune exclusion in cancer

Clemens Hinterleitner, Valentin J. A. Barthet, Hailey V. Goldberg +24 more
March 2026
 ·
bioRxiv
 ·
DOI 
10.64898/2026.03.02.706451
94
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Reproducible
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It ranks in the top 1% of preprints assessed in Cancer Biology this quarter.
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Why this is interesting

By identifying P-selectin as a handle for pathogenic senescent macrophages that organize immunosuppressive fibrotic niches, and eliminating them with targeted nanoparticles, this work cracks open ICB-refractory tumors to immune attack.

QED claims analysis

Summary

P-selectin marks pathogenic senescent-like macrophages in fibrotic tissues and tumors, enabling fucoidan-based nanoparticles to selectively deliver senolytic or senomorphic agents that reverse fibrosis, remodel immunosuppressive microenvironments, and sensitize fibrotic tumors to immune checkpoint blockade while eliminating the systemic toxicities that limit free drug use.

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Main Claim 1 –

P-selectin Labels Senescent-Like Cells in Fibrotic Tissues

Supporting evidence

  • P-selectin+ Senescent Macrophages Exhibit Lipid-Associated Macrophage Programs
Main Claim 2 –

Fucoidan Nanoparticles Target P-selectin+ Senescent Cells in Fibrosis

Supporting evidence

  • SMNPs Preferentially Target P-selectin+ Senescent Macrophages Over Endothelium
Main Claim 3 –

SMNPs Reverse Fibrosis While Reducing Senotherapy Systemic Toxicities

Supporting evidence

  • SMNPs Reprogram Fibrotic Immunity and Enable Adaptive Cell Infiltration
Main Claim 4 –

SMNPs Remodel Fibrotic Tumors to Sensitize Checkpoint Blockade

Supporting evidence

  • Human P-selectin+ Senescent Macrophages Predict Checkpoint Blockade Resistance

Abstract

Fibrotic remodeling of tissues and tumors establishes immune-suppressive microenvironments that drive organ dysfunction and, in cancer, limit responses to immunotherapy. Cells exhibiting features of cellular senescence are conserved drivers of fibrotic remodeling and thus represent therapeutic targets, yet senescent states are heterogeneous and can exert both beneficial and pathogenic effects, complicating therapeutic intervention. Here, we show that P-selectin is selectively expressed by subsets of senescent-like cells in fibrotic tissues and fibrotic tumor microenvironments. Leveraging fucoidan-based nanoparticles that bind P-selectin, we develop senescence-modulating nanoparticles (SMNPs) to selectively target these disease-associated cell states. SMNPs exhibit potent antifibrotic and immunomodulatory activity while markedly improving therapeutic index. Mechanistically, we identify a pathogenic, immune-suppressive macrophage population as a principal functional target of SMNPs in vivo. In fibrotic tumors, niche remodeling restores immune infiltration and sensitizes tumors to immune checkpoint–based therapies. More broadly, SMNPs establish a generalizable nanotherapeutic strategy for selectively targeting pathogenic senescent cell subsets across fibrotic disease and cancer.

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