CD44 and HAP-Conjugated hADSCs as Living Materials for Targeted Tumor Therapy and Bone Regeneration

Combining targeted tumor therapy with tissue regeneration represents a promising strategy for synergistic tumor therapy. In this study, a multifunctional living material is constructed with human-derived adipose stem cells (hADSCs) and antibody-modified hydroxyapatite nanorods (nHAP) for targeted drug delivery and bone regeneration following surgery. The living material delivers the therapeutics to the tumor site efficiently based on the strength of the inherent tumor tropism of hADSCs. The bioconjugation of nHAP with hADSCs via specific antibody modification is found to be biocompatible, even when loaded with the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin (Dox). The endocytosis of nHAP stimulates the osteogenic differentiation of hADSCs, promoting bone tissue regeneration. Moreover, the antibody-modified nHAP-hADSC conjugate exhibits targeted tumor delivery, which is further facilitated by pH-triggered release of Dox, inducing apoptosis of tumor cells with low toxicity to healthy tissues. Therefore, the present study provides a general strategy for engineering living materials to achieve targeted tumor therapy and bone tissue regeneration after surgery, which can be extended to other disease types.