Oxidation-activated nanotherapy boosts tumor immunity and disrupts tumor-nerve crosstalk to combat bone metastases and cancer pain

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Authors: Zhaowei Zhang, Pengfei Chen, Yufei Zheng, Rui Li, Lan Zhao, Zezhou Fu, Yisu Zhou, Tingyu Zhang, Xuanrong Sun, Dingcheng Zhu, Youqing Shen, Shunwu Fan
+2 more Xin Liu, Jiajia Xiang
Cited by: 3
References: 73

Abstract

Bone metastasis remains a formidable challenge in oncology due to the interdependent triad of immunosuppression, neuropathic pain, and osteolytic destruction. Current treatments fail to holistically address these pathophysiological axes. Here, we develop a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive liposomal nanoplatform (LipoNCs@pGSDMB) that codelivers a polymeric stimulator of interferon genes (STING) agonist and a gasdermin B (GSDMB) plasmid for dual neuro-immune modulation. Upon tumor-selective activation in metastatic bone niches, this nanotherapy induces STING-driven immune priming and GSDMB-mediated pyroptosis, triggering potent antitumor responses. Crucially, LipoNCs@pGSDMB restore voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC) expression in tumor cells, a prognostic biomarker identified through multiomics analysis of clinical specimens, thereby blocking calcium-dependent neurosignaling and disrupting prometastatic tumor-nerve cross-talk. In breast cancer bone metastasis models, this approach achieves 94% tumor suppression, complete pain resolution, and efficient bone restoration. By converging oxidation-responsive nanomaterial engineering, immunomodulation, and neural circuit reprogramming, this work establishes a paradigm-shifting neuroimmunotherapy platform that dismantles the self-reinforcing metastasis niche while addressing its debilitating sequelae.

Fields of Study & Subjects

interferon and immune responses Nanoplatforms for cancer theranostics Inflammasome and immune disorders

Publication details

Journal / source
Science Advances
Publisher
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Volume
12
Issue
4
Pages
eady1292–eady1292
Publication date
23 January 2026
Language
EN