Synergistic Photochemo Effects Based on Light-Activatable Dual Prodrug Nanoparticles for Effective Cancer Therapy

Ferroptosis is identified as a novel type of cell death with distinct properties involved in physical conditions and various diseases, including cancers. It is considered that ferroptosis provides a promising therapeutic strategy for optimizing oncotherapy. Although erastin is an effective ferroptosis trigger, the potential of its clinical application is largely restricted by its poor water solubility and concomitant limitations. To address this issue, an innovative nanoplatform (PE@PTGA) that integrated protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) and erastin coated with amphiphilic polymers (PTGA) to evoke ferroptosis and apoptosis is constructed and exemplified using an orthotopic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) xenograft mouse model as a paradigm. The self-assembled nanoparticles can enter HCC cells and release PpIX and erastin. With light stimulation, PpIX exerts hyperthermia and reactive oxygen species to inhibit the proliferation of HCC cells. Besides, the accumulated reactive oxygen species (ROS) can further promote erastin-induced ferroptosis in HCC cells. In vitro and in vivo studies reveal that PE@PTGA synergistically inhibits tumor development by stimulating both ferroptosis- and apoptosis-related pathways. Moreover, PE@PTGA has low toxicity and satisfactory biocompatibility, suggesting its promising clinical benefit in cancer treatments.