STING Agonist‐Modified Tumor Targeting Photosensitizer Remodels Cancer‐Associated Fibroblasts to Potentiate Photoimmunotherapy in Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer (PC) features dense stromal barriers and profound immune exclusion, rendering it largely unresponsive to immunotherapy. Here, we present ICyM2, a carrier-free and esterase-responsive nanoaggregate rationally designed by covalently linking the mitochondria-targeting photosensitizer ICyOH with the non-nucleotide STING agonist MSA-2. This single-molecule construct enables high drug loading, uniform nanoaggregate formation, and preferential tumor accumulation, thereby minimizing hepatic off-target toxicity while allowing spatiotemporally controlled activation in the tumor microenvironment. Upon intratumoral activation, ICyOH disrupts cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF)-mediated stromal barriers and triggers immunogenic cell death (ICD), which facilitates deep penetration of MSA-2. Subsequently, MSA-2 amplifies ICD-derived antigenic signaling, activates the STING pathway, promotes dendritic cell maturation, reprograms macrophages toward an M1-like phenotype, and enhances cytotoxic T-cell infiltration. In vivo, ICyM2 elicits potent tumor regression, establishes durable immune memory that suppresses lung metastasis, and converts immunologically "cold" tumors into "hot." Moreover, ICyM2 synergizes with PD-1 blockade to further strengthen antitumor immunity without observable systemic toxicity. Collectively, ICyM2 integrates stromal remodeling and immune activation within a single, carrier-free platform, providing a clinically translatable photo-immunotherapeutic strategy to overcome stromal and immune resistance in pancreatic cancer.

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Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Science
Published
2025-12-27
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202520547
Citations
1
Primary Topic
interferon and immune responses
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.80
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article

STING Agonist‐Modified Tumor Targeting Photosensitizer Remodels Cancer‐Associated Fibroblasts to Potentiate Photoimmunotherapy in Pancreatic Cancer

Jiawei Liang, Z. Zhang, S W Zhang, Y. Zhang et al.
1 citations
Advanced Science
interferon and immune responses
0.80
article

STING Agonist‐Modified Tumor Targeting Photosensitizer Remodels Cancer‐Associated Fibroblasts to Potentiate Photoimmunotherapy in Pancreatic Cancer

Jiawei Liang, Z. Zhang, S W Zhang, Y. Zhang, R. X. Yu, Naiwen Shi, Xu Han, Y Li, Jiajun Zhang, Ye Chen, Ziying Zhang, Ying Lv, Shankun Yao, Saisai Zhu, Shijin Xu, Yihan Zhao, Ruixin Zhang, Wen Fang
article en
1 citations

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer (PC) features dense stromal barriers and profound immune exclusion, rendering it largely unresponsive to immunotherapy. Here, we present ICyM2, a carrier-free and esterase-responsive nanoaggregate rationally designed by covalently linking the mitochondria-targeting photosensitizer ICyOH with the non-nucleotide STING agonist MSA-2. This single-molecule construct enables high drug loading, uniform nanoaggregate formation, and preferential tumor accumulation, thereby minimizing hepatic off-target toxicity while allowing spatiotemporally controlled activation in the tumor microenvironment. Upon intratumoral activation, ICyOH disrupts cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF)-mediated stromal barriers and triggers immunogenic cell death (ICD), which facilitates deep penetration of MSA-2. Subsequently, MSA-2 amplifies ICD-derived antigenic signaling, activates the STING pathway, promotes dendritic cell maturation, reprograms macrophages toward an M1-like phenotype, and enhances cytotoxic T-cell infiltration. In vivo, ICyM2 elicits potent tumor regression, establishes durable immune memory that suppresses lung metastasis, and converts immunologically "cold" tumors into "hot." Moreover, ICyM2 synergizes with PD-1 blockade to further strengthen antitumor immunity without observable systemic toxicity. Collectively, ICyM2 integrates stromal remodeling and immune activation within a single, carrier-free platform, providing a clinically translatable photo-immunotherapeutic strategy to overcome stromal and immune resistance in pancreatic cancer.

Advanced ScienceVol. 13(13)
Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine (CN), Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital (CN), Xuzhou Central Hospital (CN), Nanjing University (CN)
Reduced inequalities
Openalex Percentile: Top 20%
interferon and immune responses
0.80
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