We looked into the role of nattokinase, a health supplement known for its ability to dissolve blood clots, in improving treatments for solid tumors. The research focused on how nattokinase can modify the tumor's physical environment to boost the effectiveness of various cancer therapies, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and CAR-T cell therapy.
Through intratumoral injections of nattokinase, we found that it breaks down fibronectin, a key component of the tumor's dense extracellular matrix. This process reduces the tumor's stiffness, improves blood flow, and helps alleviate hypoxia—essentially allowing more oxygen and therapeutic agents to reach the tumor. As a result, chemotherapy becomes more effective without causing additional side effects.
Furthermore, we saw that when nattokinase was administered before radiotherapy, it increased the oxygen levels within the tumor, enhancing the responsiveness to radiation. In experiments with a human breast cancer model, the use of nattokinase also fostered better infiltration of CAR-T cells, which are designed to target and kill cancer cells.
These findings suggest that nattokinase is not just a passive health supplement but an active player in transforming the tumor environment to make cancer treatments more successful. Overall, our exploration shows great promise for nattokinase in optimizing cancer therapies, showcasing its potential for widespread application in fighting solid tumors.