Concurrent Ferroptosis and Pyroptosis Induced by a Dual‐Organelle‐Targeted Type I/II AIE Photosensitizer for Bladder Cancer Immunotherapy

Abstract The therapeutic efficacy and cell death modalities of photodynamic therapy (PDT) highly depend on reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation mediated by photosensitizers (PSs) and their subcellular localization. However, research exploring the potential mechanisms underlying ROS‐induced ferroptosis and pyroptosis remains scarce. In this study, we develop a type I/II aggregation‐induced emission photosensitizer (AIE PS), DFTBPPY (DY), that primarily accumulates in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and lipid droplets (LDs) to disrupt lipid homeostasis and induce concurrent cell death against bladder cancer. DY is selectively endocytosed by tumor cells and anchors in both ER and LDs. Upon laser irradiation, in situ DY can generate ROS to initiate oxidative stress and damage the functions of the ER and LDs. This disruption thereby initiates a lipid peroxidation‐cascading cell death pathway involving ferroptosis, pyroptosis, and immunogenic cell death (ICD), leading to potent antitumor effects. Our findings demonstrate that DY, as a dual‐organelle‐targeted PS, enhances therapeutic outcomes by orchestrating concurrent cell death mechanisms, which represents a promising alternative therapeutic strategy and highlights the potential of lipid imbalance in concurrent cell death for bladder cancer.

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Publication Details

Journal
Angewandte Chemie
Published
2025-09-18
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/ange.202509783
Primary Topic
Nanoplatforms for cancer theranostics
Type
article
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article

Concurrent Ferroptosis and Pyroptosis Induced by a Dual‐Organelle‐Targeted Type I/II AIE Photosensitizer for Bladder Cancer Immunotherapy

Yibo Mei, Zonghang Liu, Dalin He, Yixuan Chen et al.
Angewandte Chemie
Nanoplatforms for cancer theranostics
article

Concurrent Ferroptosis and Pyroptosis Induced by a Dual‐Organelle‐Targeted Type I/II AIE Photosensitizer for Bladder Cancer Immunotherapy

Yibo Mei, Zonghang Liu, Dalin He, Yixuan Chen, Kun Zhou, Zheng Qing Zhao, Yumei Luo, Yuhang Chen, Wenjin Wang, Zhongyu Wang, Yifan Cheng, Haowen Li, Jin Zeng, Ben Zhong Tang
article en

Abstract

Abstract The therapeutic efficacy and cell death modalities of photodynamic therapy (PDT) highly depend on reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation mediated by photosensitizers (PSs) and their subcellular localization. However, research exploring the potential mechanisms underlying ROS‐induced ferroptosis and pyroptosis remains scarce. In this study, we develop a type I/II aggregation‐induced emission photosensitizer (AIE PS), DFTBPPY (DY), that primarily accumulates in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and lipid droplets (LDs) to disrupt lipid homeostasis and induce concurrent cell death against bladder cancer. DY is selectively endocytosed by tumor cells and anchors in both ER and LDs. Upon laser irradiation, in situ DY can generate ROS to initiate oxidative stress and damage the functions of the ER and LDs. This disruption thereby initiates a lipid peroxidation‐cascading cell death pathway involving ferroptosis, pyroptosis, and immunogenic cell death (ICD), leading to potent antitumor effects. Our findings demonstrate that DY, as a dual‐organelle‐targeted PS, enhances therapeutic outcomes by orchestrating concurrent cell death mechanisms, which represents a promising alternative therapeutic strategy and highlights the potential of lipid imbalance in concurrent cell death for bladder cancer.

Angewandte ChemieVol. 137(46)
Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (CN), Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (CN), First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University (CN)
Openalex Percentile: Top 75%
Nanoplatforms for cancer theranostics
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