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Updated: Jan 20, 2026

A New Technique for Treating Low-risk Prostate Cancer—Super Active Surveillance
Published on: November 7, 2025
A ROS-responsive polymeric prodrug nanosystem with self-amplified drug release for PSMA (-) prostate cancer specific
Yifan Wang1, Yanqiu Zhang2, Zhengxing Ru3
1Department of Oncology, Yancheng First People's Hospital, Yancheng, 224005, China.
Background:
The selectively accumulate in tumor site and completely release drug within cancer cells great limit the therapeutic effect of nano-drug delivery system. Moreover, absence of appropriate biomarker is one of the major challenges for prostate specific membrane antigen negative (PSMA (-)) prostate cancer therapy.
Results:
Herein, a PSMA (-) prostate cancer specific targeted and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) amplification for ROS-responsive self-accelerating drug release nanoplatform (ATD-NPs) was developed. ATD-NPs was formed by three parts, including PSMA (-) prostate cancer specifically targeted part (DUP-PEG-DSPE), ROS-sensitive doxorubicin (DOX) polymeric prodrug (P(L-TK-DOX)), and the ROS generation agent (α-tocopheryl succinate, α-TOS); and this delivery system is expected to enhance PSMA (-) prostate cancer therapeutic effect, increase selective accumulation at tumor site and overcome intracellular incomplete drug release. After administration i.v injection, ATD-NPs could specifically accumulate in tumor site and markedly be internalized by cancer cells based on the DUP-1 (a PSMA (-) cancer cells specific target peptide). Subsequently, ATD-NPs could be dissociated under the high concentration reactive oxygen species (ROS) condition, resulting in DOX and α-TOS release. Then, the released α-TOS could be reacted with mitochondria to produce ROS, which in turn accelerating the release of drugs. Finally achieved the purpose of enhancing therapeutic efficacy and reducing side effect. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that the combination of tumor actively-targeted and self-amplifying ROS-responsive drug release showed more significant antitumor activity in the human PSMA (-) prostate cancer.
Conclusion:
The described technology unifies the tumor actively targets, self-amplified drug release, and excellent biocompatibility into one formulation, are promising for cancer treatment.
Insights
Researchers developed a novel nanoplatform for prostate specific membrane antigen negative (PSMA (-)) prostate cancer. This targeted drug delivery system enhances therapeutic efficacy by amplifying drug release within cancer cells.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Limitations in current nano-drug delivery systems include poor tumor site accumulation and incomplete intracellular drug release.
- Prostate specific membrane antigen negative (PSMA (-)) prostate cancer lacks effective targeted therapies due to the absence of suitable biomarkers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel nanoplatform for PSMA (-) prostate cancer therapy.
- To enhance targeted drug delivery and overcome incomplete drug release within cancer cells.
- To create a ROS-responsive, self-accelerating drug release system.
Main Methods:
- Development of ATD-NPs comprising a PSMA (-) cancer-targeting peptide (DUP-PEG-DSPE), a ROS-sensitive doxorubicin (DOX) prodrug (P(L-TK-DOX)), and a ROS generation agent (α-tocopheryl succinate, α-TOS).
- In vitro and in vivo evaluation of ATD-NPs for tumor targeting, cellular uptake, and drug release kinetics.
- Assessment of antitumor activity and therapeutic efficacy in PSMA (-) prostate cancer models.
Main Results:
- ATD-NPs specifically accumulated in tumor sites and were internalized by PSMA (-) cancer cells.
- Intracellular ROS triggered the release of DOX and α-TOS, with α-TOS further amplifying ROS production and accelerating drug release.
- The combination of active targeting and self-amplifying ROS-responsive drug release demonstrated significant antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo.
Conclusions:
- The developed nanoplatform integrates active tumor targeting, self-amplified drug release, and good biocompatibility.
- This technology shows promise for improving the therapeutic outcomes of PSMA (-) prostate cancer.
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