Mitochondria‐Targeted Nanomotor: H <sub>2</sub> S‐Driven Cascade Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Despite advances in combination therapies for cancer treatment, most strategies rely on modular-additive designs that lack dynamic molecular cues to achieve intrinsic synergy. Herein, a mitochondrial-targeted nanoplatform is introduced that orchestrates photodynamic therapy (PDT), mild photothermal therapy (mPTT), and enzyme dynamic therapy (EDT) into a self-amplifying cascade network through gasotransmitter (H<sub>2</sub>S)-driven metabolic reprogramming. It is constructed from an Au<sub>2</sub>Pt core with a surface functionalized mesoporous silica shell loaded with photosensitizers, encapsulated within a tumor cell membrane (Au<sub>2</sub>Pt@4sMSN/PS-TPP@CM). Upon GSH exposure, nanomotors produce H<sub>2</sub>S to boost diffusive motion, while TPP targeting directs this motility toward mitochondria, enabling efficient mitochondrial accumulation (internalization of >100 nm nanoparticles). Subsequently, mitochondrial targeted H<sub>2</sub>S releasing-mediated suppression of oxidative phosphorylation amplifies PDT efficacy; HSP70 downregulation enables mPTT; and hyperactive glycolytic metabolism fuels EDT. Furthermore, these enhanced modalities also interconnect in a positive feedback loop: mPTT-derived hyperthermia accelerates EDT-catalyzed oxygen generation for PDT, while mitochondria-localized PDT further inhibits HSP70 to boost mPTT. Ultimately, these interconnected molecular cues establish an H<sub>2</sub>S-driven, self-reinforcing therapeutic loop that enables effective eradication of hepatocellular carcinoma. Collectively, this study identifies mitochondria as the biological initiator and signal integrator for multimodal therapy, delivering a distinctive paradigm to overcome the limitations of conventional combination therapies.
Authors
- Xiaodong Ma (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8351-2663)
- C Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9900-8804)
- Jessica M. Rosenholm (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6085-1112)
- Xin Yang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3440-085X)
- Ling‐Yun He (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3565-9422)
- Biao Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6181-2155)
- Hongbo Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1071-4416)
- Xinru Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9693-661X)
- Zhongwei Zhao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6827-0160)
- Yuanqiang Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8262-2983)
- Shiji Fang
- Jiansong Ji (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1314-396X)
Institutions
- Åbo Akademi University (FI)
- University of Turku (FI)
- Turku Centre for Computer Science (FI)
- Wenzhou Medical University (CN)
- First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University (CN)
- Lishui Central Hospital (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Advanced Materials
- Published
- 2025-12-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202513757
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Nanoplatforms for cancer theranostics
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.67