Highly Active Cu <sub>14</sub> Cluster Precisely Activates Autophagy Inhibitor to Amplify Cuproptosis Immunotherapy

Transition metal-mediated cleavage mechanisms have emerged as an effective means to mitigate the off-target toxicity of conventional therapeutic agents. However, the utilization of non-essential metal catalysts and suboptimal catalytic efficiency often compromises their therapeutic efficacy. Given the critical role of copper in biological processes and the high catalytic activities of atomically precise copper clusters rich in Cu<sup>+</sup>, herein, a Cu<sub>14</sub> cluster-mediated cleavage reaction is first employed for synergistic cuproptosis-associated immunogenic cell death (ICD) induction with localized autophagy suppression to intensify immunotherapy effects. To endow homologous targeting capability, the Cu<sub>14</sub> cluster is camouflaged with cancer cell membrane, obtaining Cu<sub>14</sub>@CM. Upon tumor accumulation, the pH-sensitive Cu<sub>14</sub>@CM releases copper ions to trigger cuproptosis through lipoylated protein oligomerization and iron-sulfur cluster protein disruption, further releasing damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and generating robust ICD. Simultaneously, the cluster catalyzes bond cleavage reactions to produce autophagy inhibitors, blocking cytoprotective autophagy to amplify DAMPs exposure. This dual-action strategy increases dendritic cell maturation, and elevates tumor-infiltrating cytotoxic T lymphocytes, thereby reinforcing the antitumor immune response.

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Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Science
Published
2026-03-26
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202517021
Primary Topic
Ferroptosis and cancer prognosis
Type
article
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article

Highly Active Cu 14 Cluster Precisely Activates Autophagy Inhibitor to Amplify Cuproptosis Immunotherapy

Wei Tong Chen, Yanjuan Sang, Xinyu Zhao, Yu‐Ying Shen et al.
Advanced Science
Ferroptosis and cancer prognosis
article

Highly Active Cu 14 Cluster Precisely Activates Autophagy Inhibitor to Amplify Cuproptosis Immunotherapy

Wei Tong Chen, Yanjuan Sang, Xinyu Zhao, Yu‐Ying Shen, Zhao‐Yang Wang, Shuang‐Quan Zang, Qiu‐Xu Zang, Kai Li, Xiaoyuan Chen
article en

Abstract

Transition metal-mediated cleavage mechanisms have emerged as an effective means to mitigate the off-target toxicity of conventional therapeutic agents. However, the utilization of non-essential metal catalysts and suboptimal catalytic efficiency often compromises their therapeutic efficacy. Given the critical role of copper in biological processes and the high catalytic activities of atomically precise copper clusters rich in Cu<sup>+</sup>, herein, a Cu<sub>14</sub> cluster-mediated cleavage reaction is first employed for synergistic cuproptosis-associated immunogenic cell death (ICD) induction with localized autophagy suppression to intensify immunotherapy effects. To endow homologous targeting capability, the Cu<sub>14</sub> cluster is camouflaged with cancer cell membrane, obtaining Cu<sub>14</sub>@CM. Upon tumor accumulation, the pH-sensitive Cu<sub>14</sub>@CM releases copper ions to trigger cuproptosis through lipoylated protein oligomerization and iron-sulfur cluster protein disruption, further releasing damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and generating robust ICD. Simultaneously, the cluster catalyzes bond cleavage reactions to produce autophagy inhibitors, blocking cytoprotective autophagy to amplify DAMPs exposure. This dual-action strategy increases dendritic cell maturation, and elevates tumor-infiltrating cytotoxic T lymphocytes, thereby reinforcing the antitumor immune response.

Advanced Science
Zhengzhou University (CN), Henan Cancer Hospital (CN), Shandong First Medical University (CN)
Openalex Percentile: Top 7%
Ferroptosis and cancer prognosis
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Highly Active Cu <sub>14</sub> Cluster Precisely Activates Autophagy Inhibitor to Amplify Cuproptosis Immunotherapy — Wei Tong Chen, Yanjuan Sang, et al. · Advanced Science (2026) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS