Using low-molecular-weight ligands for targeting in integrated chemodynamic/starvation therapy and chemotherapy for prostate cancer

Abstract Targeted therapy enhances tumor elimination while reducing adverse effects by integrating multiple tumoricidal mechanisms. Low molecular weight (LMW) ligands, offering faster pharmacokinetics and improved tumor permeability, present a viable alternative to antibodies. This study presents a...

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Main Authors: Xiaoli Zhang, Jie He, Yu An, Kehua Jiang, Qing Wang, Wenrui Deng, Qiqi Yang, Fa Sun, Kun Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-06-01
Series:Cancer Nanotechnology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12645-025-00325-2
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author Xiaoli Zhang
Jie He
Yu An
Kehua Jiang
Qing Wang
Wenrui Deng
Qiqi Yang
Fa Sun
Kun Chen
author_facet Xiaoli Zhang
Jie He
Yu An
Kehua Jiang
Qing Wang
Wenrui Deng
Qiqi Yang
Fa Sun
Kun Chen
author_sort Xiaoli Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Targeted therapy enhances tumor elimination while reducing adverse effects by integrating multiple tumoricidal mechanisms. Low molecular weight (LMW) ligands, offering faster pharmacokinetics and improved tumor permeability, present a viable alternative to antibodies. This study presents a novel nanomedicine for prostate cancer therapy, leveraging mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) as the nanocarrier to encapsulate manganese dioxide (MnO2) and doxorubicin (DOX). The resultant nanoparticles are further coated with a polydopamine (PDA) layer and covalently conjugated with glucose oxidase (GOx), forming the MSN@Mn@PDA-GOx/DOX hybrid system (hereafter termed SMPG/DOX NPs). LMW ligands (small-molecule inhibitor DCL and nanobody VHH) targeting prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) were conjugated to create DCL-SMPG/DOX and VHH-SMPG/DOX. Mn2+-mediated Fenton-like reactions converted H2O2 into toxic hydroxyl radicals (·OH) under acidic conditions, enabling chemodynamic therapy (CDT). GOx-generated H2O2 and gluconic acid disrupted nutrient supply, inducing tumor starvation therapy (ST). The increased H2O2 and acidity amplified the Fenton-like reaction, creating a "ROS storm" that synergistically enhanced chemotherapy. LMW targeting improved tumor specificity, efficacy, and reduced side effects. In vitro, DCL-SMPG/DOX showed superior tumor cell internalization and cytotoxicity compared to VHH-SMPG/DOX. In vitro, the cellular internalization rates of VHH-SMPG/DOX and DCL-SMPG/DOX were 34.1% and 44.5%, respectively, significantly higher than that of free DOX uptake (10.3%). Moreover, DCL-SMPG/DOX-induced stronger cytotoxicity compared to VHH-SMPG/DOX. In vivo studies further demonstrated the strong anti-tumor activity of the DCL-SMPG/DOX nanomedicine, underscoring its potential as a prostate cancer treatment. Further research is needed to elucidate its anti-tumor mechanisms.
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spelling doaj-art-6d608e30431e48d1903d889f3f7f1bed2025-08-20T02:05:45ZengBMCCancer Nanotechnology1868-69581868-69662025-06-0116112310.1186/s12645-025-00325-2Using low-molecular-weight ligands for targeting in integrated chemodynamic/starvation therapy and chemotherapy for prostate cancerXiaoli Zhang0Jie He1Yu An2Kehua Jiang3Qing Wang4Wenrui Deng5Qiqi Yang6Fa Sun7Kun Chen8Medical College, Guizhou UniversityMedical College, Guizhou UniversityGuizhou Medical UniversityUrology Department of Guizhou Provincial People’s HospitalUrology Department of Guizhou Provincial People’s HospitalUrology Department of Guizhou Provincial People’s HospitalNHC Key Laboratory of PulmonaryImmune-Related Diseases, Guizhou Provincial People’ HospitalMedical College, Guizhou UniversityDepartment of Medical Genetics of Guizhou Provincial People’s HospitalAbstract Targeted therapy enhances tumor elimination while reducing adverse effects by integrating multiple tumoricidal mechanisms. Low molecular weight (LMW) ligands, offering faster pharmacokinetics and improved tumor permeability, present a viable alternative to antibodies. This study presents a novel nanomedicine for prostate cancer therapy, leveraging mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) as the nanocarrier to encapsulate manganese dioxide (MnO2) and doxorubicin (DOX). The resultant nanoparticles are further coated with a polydopamine (PDA) layer and covalently conjugated with glucose oxidase (GOx), forming the MSN@Mn@PDA-GOx/DOX hybrid system (hereafter termed SMPG/DOX NPs). LMW ligands (small-molecule inhibitor DCL and nanobody VHH) targeting prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) were conjugated to create DCL-SMPG/DOX and VHH-SMPG/DOX. Mn2+-mediated Fenton-like reactions converted H2O2 into toxic hydroxyl radicals (·OH) under acidic conditions, enabling chemodynamic therapy (CDT). GOx-generated H2O2 and gluconic acid disrupted nutrient supply, inducing tumor starvation therapy (ST). The increased H2O2 and acidity amplified the Fenton-like reaction, creating a "ROS storm" that synergistically enhanced chemotherapy. LMW targeting improved tumor specificity, efficacy, and reduced side effects. In vitro, DCL-SMPG/DOX showed superior tumor cell internalization and cytotoxicity compared to VHH-SMPG/DOX. In vitro, the cellular internalization rates of VHH-SMPG/DOX and DCL-SMPG/DOX were 34.1% and 44.5%, respectively, significantly higher than that of free DOX uptake (10.3%). Moreover, DCL-SMPG/DOX-induced stronger cytotoxicity compared to VHH-SMPG/DOX. In vivo studies further demonstrated the strong anti-tumor activity of the DCL-SMPG/DOX nanomedicine, underscoring its potential as a prostate cancer treatment. Further research is needed to elucidate its anti-tumor mechanisms.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12645-025-00325-2PSMALow-molecular-weight ligandsProstate cancerTargeted therapy
spellingShingle Xiaoli Zhang
Jie He
Yu An
Kehua Jiang
Qing Wang
Wenrui Deng
Qiqi Yang
Fa Sun
Kun Chen
Using low-molecular-weight ligands for targeting in integrated chemodynamic/starvation therapy and chemotherapy for prostate cancer
Cancer Nanotechnology
PSMA
Low-molecular-weight ligands
Prostate cancer
Targeted therapy
title Using low-molecular-weight ligands for targeting in integrated chemodynamic/starvation therapy and chemotherapy for prostate cancer
title_full Using low-molecular-weight ligands for targeting in integrated chemodynamic/starvation therapy and chemotherapy for prostate cancer
title_fullStr Using low-molecular-weight ligands for targeting in integrated chemodynamic/starvation therapy and chemotherapy for prostate cancer
title_full_unstemmed Using low-molecular-weight ligands for targeting in integrated chemodynamic/starvation therapy and chemotherapy for prostate cancer
title_short Using low-molecular-weight ligands for targeting in integrated chemodynamic/starvation therapy and chemotherapy for prostate cancer
title_sort using low molecular weight ligands for targeting in integrated chemodynamic starvation therapy and chemotherapy for prostate cancer
topic PSMA
Low-molecular-weight ligands
Prostate cancer
Targeted therapy
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12645-025-00325-2
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