Polyoxometalate-based injectable coacervate inhibits HCC metastasis after incomplete radiofrequency ablation via...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Cancer Research

Background:

• Incomplete radiofrequency ablation (iRFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can stimulate metastasis, leading to poor patient prognosis.
• Developing effective strategies to prevent iRFA-induced HCC metastasis is crucial for improving patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in iRFA-induced HCC metastasis.
• To develop and evaluate a novel nanocarrier system for targeted ROS scavenging and anti-cancer therapy.

Main Methods:

• Investigated the impact of iRFA on ROS levels, tumor invasiveness, and macrophage polarization in HCC.
• Synthesized a molybdenum-based polyoxometalate (POM) loaded coacervate delivery system (POM@Coa) for sustained ROS scavenging.
• Evaluated the efficacy of POM@Coa in reducing HCC invasiveness, modulating macrophage polarization, and enhancing anti-tumor immunity in vivo.

Main Results:

• iRFA was found to increase ROS levels, enhance HCC cell invasiveness, and promote M2 macrophage polarization, facilitating metastasis.
• The synthesized POM@Coa system effectively scavenged iRFA-induced ROS, reduced HCC invasiveness, and reversed M2 to M1 macrophage polarization.
• POM@Coa treatment promoted CD8+ T cell infiltration and activation, inhibited HCC metastasis, and demonstrated superior efficacy to free POM without systemic toxicity.

Conclusions:

• POM@Coa shows significant potential in reducing HCC invasiveness and activating anti-tumor immunity.
• This novel nanocarrier system offers a promising approach for the safe and effective prevention and treatment of HCC metastasis when combined with RFA.