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Piezoelectric-Driven Cu2+/Cu+ Conversion Strategy for Amplifying Cuproptosis and Oxidative Stress
Xujian Yang1,2, Gao He3, Jiarui Wang1,2
1School of Rare Earths, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|October 23, 2025
Summary
Engineered piezoelectric nanosheets enhance cancer therapy by combining cuproptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. This novel approach significantly inhibits tumor growth in preclinical models.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomedical Engineering
- Oncology
Background:
- Cuproptosis, a regulated cell death pathway, faces efficiency challenges in cancer therapy.
- Developing novel therapeutic strategies is crucial for improving cancer treatment outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer a piezoelectric Cu-loaded Bi4Ti3O12 nanosheet system for synergistic cuproptosis and ROS-mediated tumor therapy.
- To investigate the potential of combining piezoelectric properties with copper valence modulation for enhanced cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of piezoelectric Cu-loaded Bi4Ti3O12 nanosheets.
- Ultrasound (US) stimulation to modulate copper valence and generate a piezoelectric field.
- Assessment of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and cuproptosis induction.
- Evaluation of therapeutic efficacy in a murine breast cancer model.
Main Results:
- The engineered nanosheets exhibited an enhanced piezoelectric coefficient (d33 = 22.3 pm·V−1).
- Ultrasound stimulation promoted charge separation, accelerating Cu2+/Cu+ conversion and ROS generation.
- A synergistic dual tumoricidal pathway involving amplified cuproptosis and oxidative stress was achieved.
- A 90.6% tumor inhibition rate was observed in the murine breast cancer model.
Conclusions:
- The study successfully combined piezoelectric material properties and copper valence transformation for synergistic cancer therapy.
- This approach offers a promising strategy for overcoming cuproptosis limitations and enhancing breast cancer treatment.
- The findings provide valuable insights for developing advanced nanomaterials in oncology.
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