pH-responsive CaCO3 nanoplatform amplifies SDT via calcium overload-ROS loop for deep tumor therapy

Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) for deep-seated tumors is limited by tumor microenvironment (TME) barriers. We developed a hyaluronic acid (HA)-modified mesoporous calcium carbonate nanoplatform (HA/CaCO<sub>3</sub>@Ce6) to synergistically enhance calcium overload and SDT. The CD44-targeted nanoplatform demonstrated pH-responsive degradation in acidic TME, resulting in the release of Ca<sup>2+</sup> and chlorin e6 (Ce6). The released Ca<sup>2+</sup> induced mitochondrial calcium overload, causing 71% collapse in membrane potential and 1.6-fold increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, establishing a "Ca<sup>2+</sup>-ROS positive feedback loop." This synergy triggered robust immunogenic cell death (ICD), enhancing CRT exposure by 94.2%, HMGB1 release by 46.2%, and ATP decrease by 74.5%. <i>In vivo</i>, it achieved 90.9% tumor inhibition and 80% 60-day survival rate, alleviated tumor hypoxia, and inhibited tumor proliferation and angiogenesis. This "ion-interference SDT" paradigm overcomes the limitations of SDT through self-amplified ROS cycle and provides an effective strategy for treating deep-seated solid tumor with significant clinical translation potential.

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Publication Details

Journal
iScience
Published
2026-02-24
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2026.115082
Primary Topic
Nanoplatforms for cancer theranostics
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article
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article

pH-responsive CaCO3 nanoplatform amplifies SDT via calcium overload-ROS loop for deep tumor therapy

Bao Qiang Li, Hang Su, Yan Wang, Liang Xia et al.
iScience
Nanoplatforms for cancer theranostics
article

pH-responsive CaCO3 nanoplatform amplifies SDT via calcium overload-ROS loop for deep tumor therapy

Bao Qiang Li, Hang Su, Yan Wang, Liang Xia, Yiran Niu, Diyu Lu, Zhen Wang, Junfen Zhou, Xiaomin Chen, Miao Chen, Chunbao Liu
article en

Abstract

Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) for deep-seated tumors is limited by tumor microenvironment (TME) barriers. We developed a hyaluronic acid (HA)-modified mesoporous calcium carbonate nanoplatform (HA/CaCO<sub>3</sub>@Ce6) to synergistically enhance calcium overload and SDT. The CD44-targeted nanoplatform demonstrated pH-responsive degradation in acidic TME, resulting in the release of Ca<sup>2+</sup> and chlorin e6 (Ce6). The released Ca<sup>2+</sup> induced mitochondrial calcium overload, causing 71% collapse in membrane potential and 1.6-fold increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, establishing a "Ca<sup>2+</sup>-ROS positive feedback loop." This synergy triggered robust immunogenic cell death (ICD), enhancing CRT exposure by 94.2%, HMGB1 release by 46.2%, and ATP decrease by 74.5%. <i>In vivo</i>, it achieved 90.9% tumor inhibition and 80% 60-day survival rate, alleviated tumor hypoxia, and inhibited tumor proliferation and angiogenesis. This "ion-interference SDT" paradigm overcomes the limitations of SDT through self-amplified ROS cycle and provides an effective strategy for treating deep-seated solid tumor with significant clinical translation potential.

iScienceVol. 29(3)
Central Hospital of Wuhan (CN), Shandong First Medical University (CN), Huazhong University of Science and Technology (CN)
Openalex Percentile: Top 47%
Nanoplatforms for cancer theranostics
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