Biomimetic Self-Guiding Nanomotors Boost Active Immunotherapy

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Traditional nanomedicines face challenges in tumor penetration and releasing damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs).
• Limited efficacy of passive nanocarriers hinders effective tumor therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a biomimetic Janus nanomotor system for enhanced tumor therapy.
• To improve chemotherapeutic drug delivery, tumor penetration, and immune response activation.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of Janus HZ-AD nanomotors incorporating l-arginine, gold nanoparticles, and ZIF8 with DOX loading.
• Utilizing arginine's chemotactic behavior for autonomous navigation towards hydrogen peroxide.
• Employing NIR irradiation for active motion and triggering drug release and Zn2+ release.

Main Results:

• The nanomotors demonstrated self-navigation to tumor sites and enhanced deep tumor penetration.
• Active motion facilitated cellular uptake, DOX release, and Zn2+ release, inducing pyroptosis.
• The system activated anti-tumor immune responses, inhibiting tumor growth, recurrence, and metastasis.

Conclusions:

• The developed nanomotors offer a trimodality therapy strategy combining chemotactic targeting, motion-induced penetration, and photochemoimmunotherapy.
• This system addresses limitations of traditional nanomedicines, showing potential for therapeutic advancements in cancer treatment.