Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2025
Magnetic-, Acoustic-, and Optical-Triple-Responsive Microbubbles for Magnetic Hyperthermia and Pothotothermal Combination Cancer Therapy
Published on: May 22, 2020
Cuproptosis: Advances in Stimulus-Responsive Nanomaterials for Cancer Therapy
Jiacheng Lu1, Yuqing Miao1, Yuhao Li1
1School of Materials and Chemistry, Institute of Bismuth Science, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center of Energy Therapy for Tumors, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200093, China.
Abstract:
Cuproptosis, a recently identified non-apoptotic programmed cell death modality, attracts considerable attention in the realm of cancer therapeutics owing to its unique cellular demise mechanisms. Since its initial report in 2022, strategies inducing or amplifying cuproptosis for cancer treatment emerge. The engineering of nano-systems to elicit cuproptosis effectively circumvents constraints associated with conventional small-molecule pharmaceutical interventions, presenting novel prospects for oncological therapy. Stimulus-responsive nanomaterials, leveraging their distinctive spatiotemporal control attributes, are investigated for their role in modulating the induction or augmentation of cuproptosis. In this comprehensive review, the physiological characteristics of cuproptosis, encompassing facets such as copper overload and depletion, coupled with regulatory factors intrinsic to cuproptosis, are expounded upon. Subsequently, design methodologies for stimulus-responsive induction or enhancement of cuproptosis, employing stimuli such as light, ultrasound, X-ray, and the tumor microenvironment, are systematically delineated. This review encompasses intricacies in nanomaterial design, insights into the therapeutic processes, and the associated advantages. Finally, challenges inherent in stimulus-responsive induction/enhancement of cuproptosis are deliberated upon and prospective insights into the future trajectory of copper-mediated cancer therapy are provided.
Insights
Cuproptosis, a novel cell death pathway, offers new cancer treatment strategies. Stimulus-responsive nanomaterials can precisely trigger cuproptosis, overcoming limitations of traditional therapies for enhanced oncological outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cancer Therapeutics
- Cell Death Mechanisms
Background:
- Cuproptosis is a recently identified programmed cell death pathway distinct from apoptosis.
- Its unique mechanisms present novel opportunities for cancer treatment.
- Conventional small-molecule drugs face limitations in eliciting targeted cell death.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the physiological characteristics and regulatory factors of cuproptosis.
- To explore the design of stimulus-responsive nanomaterials for cuproptosis induction.
- To discuss the advantages, challenges, and future of copper-mediated cancer therapy.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of literature on cuproptosis and nanomaterial applications.
- Analysis of physiological aspects including copper overload/depletion.
- Delineation of design strategies for stimulus-responsive nanomaterials (light, ultrasound, X-ray, TME).
Main Results:
- Nanomaterial engineering offers precise spatiotemporal control over cuproptosis induction.
- Stimulus-responsive systems can effectively modulate copper levels to trigger cell death.
- Various stimuli can be harnessed to activate cuproptosis in the tumor microenvironment.
Conclusions:
- Stimulus-responsive nanomaterials represent a promising platform for targeted cuproptosis induction in cancer therapy.
- Understanding cuproptosis regulation is crucial for designing effective nanomedicines.
- Further research into nanomaterial design and clinical translation is warranted for copper-mediated cancer treatment.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
02:49Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...