Multifunctional nanoagent for enhanced cancer radioimmunotherapy via pyroptosis and cGAS-STING activation.
The immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (ITME) and inherent radioresistance of tumor cells limit the effectiveness of radioimmunotherapy and exacerbate immune evasion. To address these challenges, PEGylated Azacitidine-loaded and Mn2+-doped calcium carbonate nanoparticles (A@MCP NPs) are synthesized as multifunctional nanoagent to enhance radioimmunotherapy outcomes. Upon acidic TME, the release of Ca2+ and Mn2+ from A@MCP NPs co-triggers intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation via Ca2+ overload and Fenton-like reactions, inducing cytochrome C release and caspase-3 activation. Concurrently, released Azacitidine inhibits DNA methylation, upregulating GSDME expression in irradiated tumor cells, which synergistically amplifies caspase-3/GSDME-induced pyroptosis. The resulting pyroptotic cell damage, coupled with radiotherapy (RT)-induced DNA, activates Mn2+-sensitized cGAS-STING pathways, amplifying immune responses. Collectively, A@MCP, as a nano radiosensitizer, together with RT, co-activates pyroptosis and cGAS-STING to further amplify anti-tumor immune response, overcome ITME-mediated resistance and offer significant potential for improved cancer radioimmunotherapy.
Authors
Xu Xu, Gao Gao, Zhang Zhang, Gao Gao, Liao Liao, Liang Liang, Yuan Yuan, Li Li, Zhao Zhao, Wen Wen
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