Advances in cuproptosis harnessing copper-based nanomaterials for cancer therapy

Cuproptosis, a newly identified programmed cell death form, is characterized by excessive copper accumulation in cells, resulting in mitochondria damage and toxic protein stress, ultimately causing cell death. Given the considerable therapeutic promise of copper toxicity in cancer treatment, copper-based nanomaterials that induce copper death have attracted interest as a promising approach for tumor therapy. This review comprehensively introduces the mechanisms of cuproptosis and the associated regulatory genes, including both positive and negative regulatory regulators, and systematically summarizes the application of various nanoparticles in inducing cuproptosis, ranging from inorganic copper compounds to delivery systems. These nanoparticles offer significant advantages, such as improving copper absorption, extending the duration of effectiveness, enhancing the precision of copper release, increasing biocompatibility, and serving as enhancers in combination therapy. In conclusion, the authors present a detailed overview and insights into the current research directions of nanoplatforms that facilitate copper-induced cancer treatment, establishing a foundation for the future development of effective nanomedicines that induce cuproptosis and offering new possibilities and treatment strategies for tumor therapy.