Abstract
DNA damage can potentially trigger innate immune responses, providing a feasible way for immunotherapies to target "cold" tumors (T cell-deprived). However, DNA damage resistance and immunosuppression severely compromise tumor therapeutic efficacy. We therefore developed an ultrasound-activated and asynchronous-regulated nanosheet (ECHO). This system achieved cascade amplification of self-enhanced DNA damage via sonodynamic therapy, enabling potent tumor immunotherapy. Upon ultrasound activation, the peroxidase-like property conferred ECHO with the capability to induce precise and potent DNA damage by triggering ROS explosions, while leveraging the Russell mechanism to continuously generate ROS within the tumor microenvironment, heightening cellular susceptibility to DNA damage. Then, STING was activated and enhanced by DNA fragments and Mn2+ released from ECHO, respectively, which in turn disrupted ROS clearance for reversing tumor resistance to DNA damage and boosting innate immunity. Simultaneously, Niclosamide inhibited STAT3 in DNA repair response and counteracted immunosuppressive effects. The asynchronous regulation of STING and STAT3 increased ROS absolute content and restrained DNA repairing, facilitating self-enhanced DNA damage, thus intensifying tumor immunotherapy. ECHO effectively targeted tumors with minimal adverse effects, leading to 87% tumor regression and 40% contralateral bilateral tumor elimination. Overall, our asynchronous regulation strategy achieved self-enhancing DNA damage and offered a promising prototype for intensive tumor immunotherapy.
Keywords:
DNA damage; STAT3 inhibition; STING activation; asynchronous-regulated; tumor immunotherapy.