Dual-Targeting Multivalent Aptamer-Drug Hybrids for Synergistic Cancer Immunotherapy
Abstract
Targeted drug conjugates (TDCs) have transformed cancer therapy by enabling selective delivery of cytotoxic agents, yet most existing designs rely on single-antigen targeting and single-payload architectures that limit efficacy in heterogeneous tumors and restrict opportunities for integrating orthogonal mechanisms of action. Here, we report circular, dual-targeting multivalent aptamer-drug hybrids ( Dual o-mvApDHs D/S ) that codeliver doxorubicin (Dox) and STING agonist (diABZI) for synergistic chemo-immunotherapy. Built on a programmable DNA scaffold with defined valence and high loading capacity, the Dual o-mvApDHs D/S simultaneously engage c-Met and CD71 to enhance tumor-specific uptake through heteromultireceptor-mediated endocytosis, achieving efficient intracellular delivery and robust tumor accumulation in vivo . Within tumor cells, Dox induces genotoxic stress and potent immunogenic cell death, while diABZI activates cGAS-STING signaling to amplify type I interferon responses. This coordinated action remodels the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, promoting dendritic cell recruitment and activation, expanding IFN-responsive macrophages and conventional dendritic cells, and driving the proliferation and functional maintenance of cytotoxic CD8 + T cells. Single-cell RNA and TCR sequencing revealed increased TCR diversity, reduced terminal exhaustion, and strengthened effector differentiation in response to combination therapy. Notably, Dual o-mvApDHs D/S synergize with PD-1 blockade to achieve durable tumor eradication and long-term protection. These findings establish multivalent aptamer-drug hybrids as a versatile platform for multitarget, multipayload precision therapeutics and highlight their potential for next-generation TDC design.
Fields of Study & Subjects
interferon and immune responses
Protein Degradation and Inhibitors
Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of the American Chemical Society
- Publisher
- American Chemical Society (ACS)
- Volume
- 148
- Issue
- 15
- Pages
- 15782–15796
- Publication date
- 13 April 2026
- Language
- EN