Mitochondria‐Targeted Nanomotor: H <sub>2</sub> S‐Driven Cascade Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

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Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p> Despite advances in combination therapies for cancer treatment, most strategies rely on modular‐additive designs that lack dynamic molecular cues to achieve intrinsic synergy. Herein, a mitochondrial‐targeted nanoplatform is introduced that orchestrates photodynamic therapy (PDT), mild photothermal therapy (mPTT), and enzyme dynamic therapy (EDT) into a self‐amplifying cascade network through gasotransmitter (H <jats:sub>2</jats:sub> S)‐driven metabolic reprogramming. It is constructed from an Au <jats:sub>2</jats:sub> Pt core with a surface functionalized mesoporous silica shell loaded with photosensitizers, encapsulated within a tumor cell membrane (Au <jats:sub>2</jats:sub> Pt@4sMSN/PS‐TPP@CM). Upon GSH exposure, nanomotors produce H <jats:sub>2</jats:sub> S to boost diffusive motion, while TPP targeting directs this motility toward mitochondria, enabling efficient mitochondrial accumulation (internalization of >100 nm nanoparticles). Subsequently, mitochondrial targeted H <jats:sub>2</jats:sub> S releasing‐mediated suppression of oxidative phosphorylation amplifies PDT efficacy; HSP70 downregulation enables mPTT; and hyperactive glycolytic metabolism fuels EDT. Furthermore, these enhanced modalities also interconnect in a positive feedback loop: mPTT‐derived hyperthermia accelerates EDT‐catalyzed oxygen generation for PDT, while mitochondria‐localized PDT further inhibits HSP70 to boost mPTT. Ultimately, these interconnected molecular cues establish an H <jats:sub>2</jats:sub> S‐driven, self‐reinforcing therapeutic loop that enables effective eradication of hepatocellular carcinoma. Collectively, this study identifies mitochondria as the biological initiator and signal integrator for multimodal therapy, delivering a distinctive paradigm to overcome the limitations of conventional combination therapies. </jats:p>
Original languageEnglish
JournalAdvanced Materials
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2025
MoE publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

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