Nanovesicles loaded with a TGF-β receptor 1 inhibitor overcome immune resistance to potentiate cancer immunotherapy

Mitoxantrone encapsulated photosensitizer nanomicelle as carrier-free theranostic nanomedicine for near-infrared fluorescence imaging-guided chemo-photodynamic combination therapy on cancer

Combination therapy exhibits higher efficacy than any single therapy, inspiring various nanocarrier-assisted multi-drug co-delivery systems for the combined treatment of cancer. However, most nanocarriers are inert and non-therapeutic and have potential side effects. Herein, an amphiphilic polymer composed of a hydrophobic photosensitizer and hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) was employed as the nanocarriers and photosensitizers to encapsulate the chemotherapeutic drug mitoxantrone for chemo-photodynamic combination therapy. The resulting nanodrug consisted solely of pharmacologically active ingredients, thus avoiding potential toxicity induced by inert excipients. This multifunctional nanoplatform demonstrated significantly superior treatment performance compared to monotherapy for colorectal cancer, both in vitro and in vivo, achieving near-infrared fluorescence imaging-mediated chemo-photodynamic combined eradication of malignancy.

Tumor microenvironment reprogramming combined with immunogenic enhancement by nanoemulsions potentiates immunotherapy

The combination of immune checkpoint inhibitors and immunogenic cell death (ICD) inducers has become a promising strategy for the treatment of various cancers. However, its efficacy remains unmet because of the dense stroma and defective vasculatures in the tumor microenvironment (TME) that restricts the intratumoral infiltration of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). Herein, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs)-targeted nanoemulsions are tailored to combine the ICD induction and the TME reprogramming to sensitize checkpoint blockade immunotherapy. Melittin, as an ICD inducer and an antifibrotic agent, is efficiently encapsulated into the nanoemulsion accompanied by a nitric oxide donor to improve its bioavailability and tumor targeting. The nanoemulsions exhibited dual functionality by directly inducing direct cancer cell death and enhancing the tumoral immunogenicity, while also synergistically reprogramming the TME through reversing the activated CAFs, decreasing collagen deposition and restoring tumor vessels. Consequently, these nanemulsions successfully facilitated the CTLs infiltration and suppressing the recruitment of immunosuppressive cells. A combination of AE-MGNPs and anti-CTLA-4 antibody greatly elicited a striking level of antitumor T-cell response to suppress tumor growth in CAFs-rich colorectal tumor models. Our work emphasized the integration of the ICD induction with simultaneous modulation of the TME to enhance the sensitivity of patients to checkpoint blockade immunotherapy.

Engineered Nanomaterials for Tumor Immune Microenvironment Modulation in Cancer Immunotherapy

Tumor immunotherapy, represented by immune checkpoint blocking and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, has achieved promising results in clinical applications. However, it faces challenges that hinder its further development, such as limited response rates and poor tumor permeability. The efficiency of tumor immunotherapy is also closely linked to the structure and function of the immune microenvironment where the tumor resides. Recently, nanoparticle-based tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) modulation strategies have attracted a great deal of attention in cancer immunotherapy. This is primarily due to the distinctive physical characteristics of nanoparticles, which enable them to effectively infiltrate the TIME and selectively modulate its key constituents. This paper reviews recent advances in nanoparticle engineering to improve anti-cancer immunotherapy. Emerging nanoparticle-based approaches for modulating immune cells, tumor stroma, cytokines and immune checkpoints are discussed, aiming to overcome current challenges in the clinic. In addition, integrating immunotherapy with various treatment modalities such as chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy can be facilitated through the utilization of nanoparticles, thereby enhancing the efficacy of cancer treatment. The future challenges and opportunities of using nanomaterials to reeducate the suppressive immune microenvironment of tumors are also discussed, with the aim of anticipating further advancements in this growing field.

Perylene-Mediated Cytoskeletal Dysfunction Remodels Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts to Augment Antitumor Immunotherapy

Targeted reprogramming of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) is one of the most essential cancer therapies. However, how to reprogram active CAFs toward deactivated state still remains immense challenge. To tackle this challenge, herein, one perylene N, N'-bis(2-((dimethylammonium)ethylene)-2-(methoxylethyl))-1, 6, 7, 12-tetrachloroperylene-3, 4, 9, 10-tetracarboxylic diimide (PDIC-OC) is prepared, which can trigger endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) burst to result in cytoskeletal dysfunction and cell apoptosis so that suppress transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) production. As a result, PDIC-OC can reprogram the activated CAFs and relieve immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment by efficient polarization of M2-typed macrophages into M1-typed ones, downregulation of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), alleviation of hypoxic state to promote infiltration of cytotoxic T lymphocytes, and ultimately realizes outstanding antitumor performance on B16F10 tumor-xenografted and lung-metastatic mouse model even at low concentration of 1 mg kg-1 body weight. This work thus presents a novel strategy that cytoskeleton dysfunction and cell apoptosis cooperatively suppress the secretion of TGF-β to reprogram CAFs and meanwhile clarifies intrinsic mechanism for perylene-triggered chemo-immunotherapy against hypoxic tumors.

Enzyme-Mediated Bioorthogonal Cascade Catalytic Reaction for Metabolism Intervention and Enhanced Ferroptosis on Neuroblastoma

It remains a tremendous challenge to explore effective therapeutic modalities against neuroblastoma, a lethal cancer of the sympathetic nervous system with poor prognosis and disappointing treatment outcomes. Considering the limitations of conventional treatment modalities and the intrinsic vulnerability of neuroblastoma, we herein develop a pioneering sequential catalytic therapeutic system that utilizes lactate oxidase (LOx)/horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-loaded amorphous zinc metal-organic framework, named LOx/HRP-aZIF, in combination with a 3-indole-acetic acid (IAA) prodrug. On the basis of abnormal lactate accumulation that occurs in the tumor microenvironment, the cascade reaction of LOx and HRP consumes endogenous glutathione and a reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide to achieve the first stage of killing cancer cells via antioxidative incapacitation and electron transport chain interference. Furthermore, the generation of reactive oxygen species induced by HRP and IAA through bioorthogonal catalysis promotes ferritin degradation and lipid peroxidation, ultimately provoking self-enhanced ferroptosis with positive feedback by initiating an endogenous Fenton reaction. This work highlights the superiority of the natural enzyme-dependent cascade and bioorthogonal catalytic reaction, offering a paradigm for synergistically enzyme-based metabolism-ferroptosis anticancer therapy.

pH/H2 O2 Cascade-Responsive Nanoparticles of Lipid-Like Prodrugs through Dynamic-Covalent and Coordination Interactions for Chemotherapy

Traditional lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) suffer from low drug loading capacity (DLC), weak stability, and lack of responsiveness. Conventional approaches to address these issues involve the synthesis of lipid-prodrug by incorporating responsive covalent linkers. However, such approaches often result in suboptimal sensitivity for drug release and undermine therapeutic effectiveness. Herein, the study reports a fundamentally different concept for designing lipid-like prodrugs through boron-nitrogen (B-N) coordination and dynamic covalent interaction. The 5-fluorouracil-based lipid-like prodrugs, featuring a borate ester consisting of a glycerophosphoryl choline head and a boronic acid-modified 5Fu/dodecanamine complex tail, are used to prepare pH/H2 O2 cascade-responsive LNPs (5Fu-LNPs). The 5Fu-LNPs exhibit enhanced DLC and stability in a neutral physiological environment due to the B-N coordination and enhanced hydrophobicity. In tumors, acidic pH triggers the dissociation of B-N coordination to release prodrugs, which further responds to low H2 O2 concentrations to release drugs, showcasing a potent pH/H2 O2 -cascade-responsive property. Importantly, 5Fu-LNPs demonstrate greater antitumor efficiency and lower toxicity compared to the commercial 5Fu. These results highlight 5Fu-LNPs as a safer and more effective alternative to chemotherapy. This work presents a unique LNP fabrication strategy that can overcome the limitations of conventional LNPs and broaden the range of intelligent nanomaterial preparation techniques.

MPDZ is associated with immune infiltration and regulates migration and invasion by switching YAP1 phosphorylation in colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Multiple PDZ Domain Crumbs Cell Polarity Complex Component (MPDZ) is involved in a few human cancers. However, the features and potential mechanisms of MPDZ in progression of colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unknown.

METHODS

The prognostic role of MPDZ in CRC was determined by Kaplan-Meier and univariate regression analysis. Enrichment analysis was performed to characterize crucial pathways of MPDZ. Immune infiltration and immunotherapeutic outcome were further evaluated. CCK8, EDU, transwell, and wound healing assay were used to assess the influence of MPDZ on pernicious performance of CRC cells. CD8+ T cells and CRC cells were co-cultured to explore the effect of MPDZ on the tumor microenvironment. qRT-PCR, western blot, immunoprecipitation (IP), and methylated RNA immunoprecipitation (me-RIP) were implemented in seeking for the potential mechanisms of MPDZ in CRC.

RESULTS

CRC patients with elevated MPDZ expression suffered from significantly worse prognosis. Enrichment analysis revealed that MPDZ involved in pathways related to metastasis and cell cycle in CRC. In addition, MPDZ expression were related to several immunoinhibitors and had the ability to predict immunotherapy response. Finally, in vitro assays demonstrated that MPDZ knockdown inhibited migration, invasion and immune evasion of CRC cells. Mechanistically, MPDZ knockdown enhanced YAP1 phosphorylation by increased LATS1 expression. Moreover, m6A-MPDZ mRNA may be recognized and degraded by m6A recognition protein YTHDF2.

CONCLUSIONS

MPDZ was critical for CRC development and could be a promising candidate for the treatment of CRC patients.

Nanodelivery Systems as a Novel Strategy to Overcome Treatment Failure of Cancer

Despite the tremendous progress in cancer treatment in recent decades, cancers often become resistant due to multiple mechanisms, such as intrinsic or acquired multidrug resistance, which leads to unsatisfactory treatment effects or accompanying metastasis and recurrence, ultimately to treatment failure. With a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms of tumors, researchers have realized that treatment designs targeting tumor resistance mechanisms would be a promising strategy to break the therapeutic deadlock. Nanodelivery systems have excellent physicochemical properties, including highly efficient tissue-specific delivery, substantial specific surface area, and controllable surface chemistry, which endow nanodelivery systems with capabilities such as precise targeting, deep penetration, responsive drug release, multidrug codelivery, and multimodal synergy, which are currently widely used in biomedical researches and bring a new dawn for overcoming cancer resistance. Based on the mechanisms of tumor therapeutic resistance, this review summarizes the research progress of nanodelivery systems for overcoming tumor resistance to improve therapeutic efficacy in recent years and offers prospects and challenges of the application of nanodelivery systems for overcoming cancer resistance.

Leveraging Semiconducting Polymer Nanoparticles for Combination Cancer Immunotherapy

Cancer immunotherapy has become a promising method for cancer treatment, bringing hope to advanced cancer patients. However, immune-related adverse events caused by immunotherapy also bring heavy burden to patients. Semiconducting polymer nanoparticles (SPNs) as an emerging nanomaterial with high biocompatibility, can eliminate tumors and induce tumor immunogenic cell death through different therapeutic modalities, including photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, and sonodynamic therapy. In addition, SPNs can work as a functional nanocarrier to synergize with a variety of immunomodulators to amplify anti-tumor immune responses. In this review, SPNs-based combination cancer immunotherapy is comprehensively summarized according to the SPNs' therapeutic modalities and the type of loaded immunomodulators. The in-depth understanding of existing SPNs-based therapeutic modalities will hopefully inspire the design of more novel nanomaterials with potent anti-tumor immune effects, and ultimately promote their clinical translation.

Ultrafast photoacoustic cavitation pumped by picosecond laser for high-efficient and long-term shockwave theranostics

Photoacoustic (PA) theranostics is a new emerging field that uniquely combines diagnosis and treatment in one modality. However, its current status is compromised by the indispensable dependence on nonreversible phase-change nanoprobes that provides one-time-only action. Here, we demonstrate a picosecond-laser-pumped ultrafast PA cavitation technique for highly efficient shockwave theranostics, guaranteeing sustained PA cavitation by using non-phase-change nanoprobes. Theoretical simulations validate that, when compressing the excitation laser pulse width to hundred-picosecond, the thermal confinement effects of a conventional nanoprobe will induce transient heating of the extremely thin surrounding liquid layer of the nanoprobes beyond its cavitation point in a localized area at nanoscale, resulting in intense cavitation and PA shockwaves by the environment rather than the nanoprobes. Both cellular and mouse model experiments have demonstrated the highly effective anti-tumor effects. This method provides a sustainable, reproducible, and highly effective strategy for PA theranostics, prefiguring great potential for the clinical applications.