Sequential Unlocking of an RNS/ROS Storm via a Four‐Layer Logic‑Gated Ruthenium Nanocomposite for Hypoxia‐Tolerant Photodynamic Cancer Immunotherapy

ABSTRACT Tumor hypoxia, an immunosuppressive microenvironment, and the lack of spatiotemporally precise therapeutic activation collectively limit current cancer treatments. Here, we report a smart nanocomposite ( G&Ru@CuS ) that produces a localized reactive nitrogen species (RNS)/reactive oxygen species (ROS) storm controlled by four sequential logic gates. (i) Intracellular ROS degrade a thioketal‐crosslinked polymer gatekeeper, exposing the hollow CuS core. (ii) Acidic tumor pH (6.5–6.8) and high glutathione (GSH) trigger release of Cu 2+ , the NO donor S‐Nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), and a NO‐responsive mitochondria‐targeted prodrug photosensitizer Ru1 from the a degradable CuS scaffold. (iii) Cu 2+ catalyzes NO generation from GSNO. (iv) NO reacts with Ru1 to form Ru2 . Ru2 is an NO‐responsive prodrug photosensitizer that, upon activation, displays dual Type I/II photodynamic activity. It retains efficacy under hypoxia, rapidly depletes GSH, oxidizes NADH, and shows photocatalytic peroxidase activity, making it a powerful agent for triggering an RNS/ROS storm that drives tumor cell mitochondrial damage, necroptosis and ferroptosis, resulting in immunogenic cell death that promotes dendritic cell maturation and systemic antitumor immunity. In murine models, intravenous G&Ru@CuS achieves potent tumor inhibition with excellent immunotherapy and no systemic toxicity. This work is the first quadruple logic‐gated nanoplatform that overcomes hypoxia, enables spatiotemporal precision, and minimizes off‐target effects.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Materials
Published
2026-09-20
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.75092
Primary Topic
Nanoplatforms for cancer theranostics
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
article

Sequential Unlocking of an RNS/ROS Storm via a Four‐Layer Logic‑Gated Ruthenium Nanocomposite for Hypoxia‐Tolerant Photodynamic Cancer Immunotherapy

Cai‐Ping Tan, Qing‐Hua Shen, Xinyi Zhang, Xiang-Jie Jiang et al.
Advanced Materials
Nanoplatforms for cancer theranostics
article

Sequential Unlocking of an RNS/ROS Storm via a Four‐Layer Logic‑Gated Ruthenium Nanocomposite for Hypoxia‐Tolerant Photodynamic Cancer Immunotherapy

Cai‐Ping Tan, Qing‐Hua Shen, Xinyi Zhang, Xiang-Jie Jiang, Qing-Yuan Hu, Ying‐Ying Han, Zhi‐Yuan Li, Peng Wang, Long‐Bo Yu
article en

Abstract

ABSTRACT Tumor hypoxia, an immunosuppressive microenvironment, and the lack of spatiotemporally precise therapeutic activation collectively limit current cancer treatments. Here, we report a smart nanocomposite ( G&Ru@CuS ) that produces a localized reactive nitrogen species (RNS)/reactive oxygen species (ROS) storm controlled by four sequential logic gates. (i) Intracellular ROS degrade a thioketal‐crosslinked polymer gatekeeper, exposing the hollow CuS core. (ii) Acidic tumor pH (6.5–6.8) and high glutathione (GSH) trigger release of Cu 2+ , the NO donor S‐Nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), and a NO‐responsive mitochondria‐targeted prodrug photosensitizer Ru1 from the a degradable CuS scaffold. (iii) Cu 2+ catalyzes NO generation from GSNO. (iv) NO reacts with Ru1 to form Ru2 . Ru2 is an NO‐responsive prodrug photosensitizer that, upon activation, displays dual Type I/II photodynamic activity. It retains efficacy under hypoxia, rapidly depletes GSH, oxidizes NADH, and shows photocatalytic peroxidase activity, making it a powerful agent for triggering an RNS/ROS storm that drives tumor cell mitochondrial damage, necroptosis and ferroptosis, resulting in immunogenic cell death that promotes dendritic cell maturation and systemic antitumor immunity. In murine models, intravenous G&Ru@CuS achieves potent tumor inhibition with excellent immunotherapy and no systemic toxicity. This work is the first quadruple logic‐gated nanoplatform that overcomes hypoxia, enables spatiotemporal precision, and minimizes off‐target effects.

Advanced Materials
Sun Yat-sen University (CN)
Openalex Percentile: Top 21%
Nanoplatforms for cancer theranostics
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.

Sequential Unlocking of an RNS/ROS Storm via a Four‐Layer Logic‑Gated Ruthenium Nanocomposite for Hypoxia‐Tolerant Photodynamic Cancer Immunotherapy — Cai‐Ping Tan, Qing‐Hua Shen, et al. · Advanced Materials (2026) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS