Accordingly, we demonstrated herein that NExT are naturally functionalized with diverse receptors (PD1, LAG3, TIM3) that can interact with their corresponding ligands (e.g., PDL1, Galectin-3, FGL-1, MHCII, Galectin-9, HMGB1, Ceacam-1) within the tumor. The gene discussed is LGALS3; the disease is neoplasm.