CD20 targeted nanomedicine for GCB-diffuse large B-cell lymphoma through synergistic effects of apoptosis and ferroptosis

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is one of the most prevalent lymphomas, and can be classified as activated B-cell DLBCL (ABC-DLBCL) or germinal center B-cell DLBCL (GCB-DLBCL) according to molecular subtypes. Studies have shown that drug resistance is an important factor in its therapeutic fai...

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Main Authors: Shu-xian Liu, Jun-yu Zhang, Xiao-yan Zheng, Yong-zhong Du, Xiang-min Tong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Materials Today Bio
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590006425004041
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author Shu-xian Liu
Jun-yu Zhang
Xiao-yan Zheng
Yong-zhong Du
Xiang-min Tong
author_facet Shu-xian Liu
Jun-yu Zhang
Xiao-yan Zheng
Yong-zhong Du
Xiang-min Tong
author_sort Shu-xian Liu
collection DOAJ
description Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is one of the most prevalent lymphomas, and can be classified as activated B-cell DLBCL (ABC-DLBCL) or germinal center B-cell DLBCL (GCB-DLBCL) according to molecular subtypes. Studies have shown that drug resistance is an important factor in its therapeutic failure. Tumor-specific drug delivery nanocarriers may be a promising strategy for the treatment of lymphoma. Herein, we developed a nanomedicine (RTX-DOX/DMF-Lip, RDDL) carrying the chemotherapeutic drugs doxorubicin (DOX) and dimethyl fumarate (DMF), and surface-modified with rituximab (RTX), which can recognize CD20 antigen when it comes into contact with the surface of a B-lymphoma cell. In the study, we found that DOX and DMF can be delivered to the tumor site precisely and demonstrate a potent synergistic anti-tumor effect. Once the nanomedicine was internalized, it induced apoptosis through ROS generation and the activation of caspase-3. Concurrently, DMF directly reduced the levels of glutathione (GSH) in tumor cells by inhibiting System Xc−, thereby resulting in impaired ROS detoxification and fostering an environment conducive to lipid peroxidation (LPO) and ferroptosis. Furthermore, the ROS generated by DOX synergistically propelled the process of ferroptosis, creating a potent therapeutic effect. These effects were validated in the GCB-DLBCL mouse model, where RDDL had a more potent killing effect compared to free drugs by striking SU-DHL-10 cells through a dual mechanism of apoptosis and ferroptosis, providing a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of drug-resistant GCB-DLBCL.
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spelling doaj-art-d61af7563fcc45179558a863f8842c522025-08-20T02:33:15ZengElsevierMaterials Today Bio2590-00642025-06-013210184410.1016/j.mtbio.2025.101844CD20 targeted nanomedicine for GCB-diffuse large B-cell lymphoma through synergistic effects of apoptosis and ferroptosisShu-xian Liu0Jun-yu Zhang1Xiao-yan Zheng2Yong-zhong Du3Xiang-min Tong4Key Laboratory of Elemene Class Anti-Cancer Chinese Medicines, School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 311121, ChinaThe Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui Central Hospital, Lishui Hospital of Zhejiang University, Lishui, 323000, Zhejiang Province, ChinaThe Quzhou Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Quzhou People's Hospital, Quzhou, Zhejiang, 324000, ChinaInstitute of Pharmaceutics College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yu-Hang-Tang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, China; Corresponding author.Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Westlake University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, China; Corresponding author.Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is one of the most prevalent lymphomas, and can be classified as activated B-cell DLBCL (ABC-DLBCL) or germinal center B-cell DLBCL (GCB-DLBCL) according to molecular subtypes. Studies have shown that drug resistance is an important factor in its therapeutic failure. Tumor-specific drug delivery nanocarriers may be a promising strategy for the treatment of lymphoma. Herein, we developed a nanomedicine (RTX-DOX/DMF-Lip, RDDL) carrying the chemotherapeutic drugs doxorubicin (DOX) and dimethyl fumarate (DMF), and surface-modified with rituximab (RTX), which can recognize CD20 antigen when it comes into contact with the surface of a B-lymphoma cell. In the study, we found that DOX and DMF can be delivered to the tumor site precisely and demonstrate a potent synergistic anti-tumor effect. Once the nanomedicine was internalized, it induced apoptosis through ROS generation and the activation of caspase-3. Concurrently, DMF directly reduced the levels of glutathione (GSH) in tumor cells by inhibiting System Xc−, thereby resulting in impaired ROS detoxification and fostering an environment conducive to lipid peroxidation (LPO) and ferroptosis. Furthermore, the ROS generated by DOX synergistically propelled the process of ferroptosis, creating a potent therapeutic effect. These effects were validated in the GCB-DLBCL mouse model, where RDDL had a more potent killing effect compared to free drugs by striking SU-DHL-10 cells through a dual mechanism of apoptosis and ferroptosis, providing a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of drug-resistant GCB-DLBCL.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590006425004041Diffuse large B-Cell lymphomaDoxorubicinDimethyl fumarateApoptosisFerroptosisCombination therapy
spellingShingle Shu-xian Liu
Jun-yu Zhang
Xiao-yan Zheng
Yong-zhong Du
Xiang-min Tong
CD20 targeted nanomedicine for GCB-diffuse large B-cell lymphoma through synergistic effects of apoptosis and ferroptosis
Materials Today Bio
Diffuse large B-Cell lymphoma
Doxorubicin
Dimethyl fumarate
Apoptosis
Ferroptosis
Combination therapy
title CD20 targeted nanomedicine for GCB-diffuse large B-cell lymphoma through synergistic effects of apoptosis and ferroptosis
title_full CD20 targeted nanomedicine for GCB-diffuse large B-cell lymphoma through synergistic effects of apoptosis and ferroptosis
title_fullStr CD20 targeted nanomedicine for GCB-diffuse large B-cell lymphoma through synergistic effects of apoptosis and ferroptosis
title_full_unstemmed CD20 targeted nanomedicine for GCB-diffuse large B-cell lymphoma through synergistic effects of apoptosis and ferroptosis
title_short CD20 targeted nanomedicine for GCB-diffuse large B-cell lymphoma through synergistic effects of apoptosis and ferroptosis
title_sort cd20 targeted nanomedicine for gcb diffuse large b cell lymphoma through synergistic effects of apoptosis and ferroptosis
topic Diffuse large B-Cell lymphoma
Doxorubicin
Dimethyl fumarate
Apoptosis
Ferroptosis
Combination therapy
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590006425004041
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