Chinese scientists have developed a molecule which helps with the "last mile" delivery of antigens in cells and can act as an adjuvant to enhance the effect of vaccines for preventing infectious diseases and treating tumors.

The article on the development was published on Thursday in the international science journal Nature.

Wang Ji, a researcher with the Institute of Precision Medicine of the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, led the research.

SABER, the molecule developed by the research team, helps accurately and effectively deliver antigens into the endoplasmic reticulum in cells. It also boosts the cellular immune response of CD8+ T cells, which play a crucial role in protecting against viral infections and eliminating tumors, Wang said.

The development of an innovative vaccine technology for stimulating responses from cytotoxic CD8+ T cells might aid efforts to design better vaccines for cancer and other diseases, said John T. Wilson with the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Vanderbilt University in an article, also published in Nature.

The progress marks a milestone in the hospital's integration of basic research and clinical diagnosis and treatment. The hospital will fully support the team for the research into related clinical applications, said Xiao Haipeng, president of the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, at a news conference in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, on Thursday.

Link to the paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08758-w

Link to the report: https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202503/27/WS67e52e25a3101d4e4dc2b3c2.html