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.
Authors
- Bao Qiang Li
- Hang Su
- Yan Wang
- Liang Xia
- Yiran Niu
- Diyu Lu
- Zhen Wang
- Junfen Zhou
- Xiaomin Chen
- Miao Chen
- Chunbao Liu
Institutions
- Central Hospital of Wuhan (CN)
- Shandong First Medical University (CN)
- Huazhong University of Science and Technology (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- iScience
- Published
- 2026-02-24
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2026.115082
- Primary Topic
- Nanoplatforms for cancer theranostics
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00