Engineering micro oxygen factories to slow tumour progression via hyperoxic microenvironments

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Oncology
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Hypoxia is linked to cancer progression and treatment resistance, but hyperoxia's effects are understudied due to challenges in maintaining oxygen levels in vivo.
• Existing methods for in vivo oxygenation are often short-lived, limiting research into hyperoxic tumor microenvironments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel system for long-lasting in vivo oxygen supply.
• To investigate the impact of a hyperoxic tumor microenvironment on cancer progression and treatment.

Main Methods:

• Construction of photosynthesis microcapsules (PMCs) by encapsulating cyanobacteria and upconversion nanoparticles in alginate.
• Utilizing external radiation to trigger red-wavelength emissions for cyanobacteria photosynthesis, creating a sustained oxygen supply.
• In vivo implantation of PMCs in hepatocarcinoma and breast cancer models.

Main Results:

• PMC treatment effectively suppressed the NF-kB pathway, HIF-1α production, and cancer cell proliferation.
• In vivo PMC implantation inhibited hepatocarcinoma growth and metastasis.
• Combined PMC treatment with anti-PD-1 therapy demonstrated synergistic effects in breast cancer models.

Conclusions:

• Photosynthesis microcapsules (PMCs) provide a viable method for creating sustained hyperoxic tumor microenvironments.
• This technology facilitates the study of tumor biology under hyperoxia and offers potential for novel oncological treatments.
• The engineered oxygen factories hold promise for advancing cancer research and therapeutic strategies.