Oral cancer medical-engineering intersection - Near-infrared activatable copper nanoplatform synergizes with 5-azacytidine prodrug to enhance cupropsosis

Co-delivery of NIR-II photosensitizer H7-Cu-BPE and ROS-responsive copper ion carrier DTC-BA enables targeted activation of cupropsosis in oral cancer. Under 808 nm irradiation, DTC chelates Cu2+ in H7-Cu-BPE to form Cu(DTC)2, which is reduced by endogenous FDX1 to produce Cu+ and promote copper deposition. Addition of 5-azacytidine further replenishes cellular FDX1, maintains cupropsosis, and enhances tumor suppression and anti-tumor immunity.

Innovations: 1. A new strategy for the synergistic treatment of oral cancer based on a copper nanoplatform controlled by near-infrared light was proposed, breaking through the traditional single treatment model; 2. A unique NIR-II photosensitizer H7-Cu-BPE and ROS-responsive copper ion carrier DTC-BA co-delivery system was designed to achieve precise targeted treatment; 3. For the first time, cupric ion deposition disease (Cuproptosis) was systematically introduced as a core treatment mechanism in the treatment of oral cancer; 4. Innovatively combined nanotechnology, photodynamics and metal ion biology to construct a new paradigm of multimodal synergistic treatment.

Research inspiration: 1. In-depth exploration of the potential value of specific pathways of cell metabolism (such as the FDX1 reduction pathway) in tumor treatment; 2. Explore the unique regulatory role and potential therapeutic mechanism of metal ions (copper ions) in tumor treatment; 3. Develop a more precise and controllable nanodelivery platform to improve the targeting and selectivity of tumor treatment; 4. Focus on interdisciplinary cross-disciplinary research, such as the integration and innovation of medicine, biology, materials science and optics.

Extension of ideas: 1. Expand similar strategies to other refractory tumors, such as pancreatic cancer, glioma and other tumor types with abnormal copper metabolism; 2. Further optimize the design of the nanoplatform to improve the biocompatibility and targeting of photosensitizers and copper ion carriers; 3. In-depth study of the universality and specificity of the Cuproptosis mechanism in different tumors; 4. Develop more precision treatment strategies based on metal ions and explore the potential role of metal ions in tumor treatment; 5. Explore multimodal synergistic treatment strategies and integrate multiple treatment methods such as gene therapy and immunotherapy; 6. Establish a more comprehensive tumor microenvironment responsive nanodelivery system to improve treatment accuracy; 7. Develop more advanced near-infrared light activation technology to achieve more precise regulation of the treatment process.