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Nanoscale Copper Ethoxide Enables Immunologically Enhanced Hepatoma Radio-immunotherapy via Synergistic Cuproptosis and Metabolic Oxidative Stress

delete2026-08-05
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PRE
AI
S
Songling Liu
Y
Yang Liu
Q
Qin Fan *
K
Kexin Wen
J
Jinqiao Zhang
Y
Yuechao Yang
S
Shining Yang
G
Gongchang Yu *
Z
Ziliang Dong *
DOI:10.1016/j.biomaterials.2026.124532delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Metal alkoxides hold promise in catalysis and materials science, but their rapid hydrolysis in aqueous media represents a major limitation for biomedical applications. To harness this intrinsic reactivity therapeutically, we developed a facile ultrasonication-assisted dispersion method to fabricate nanoscale copper ethoxide (CuOEt) with subsequent screening showing their ready dispersion in Lipiodol to form a stable injectable suspension (CuOEt@LPD). Unlike bare CuOEt nanoparticles, which suffered from rapid degradation, a burst release of ethanol, and conversion to copper oxide in water, the CuOEt@LPD formulation utilized a Lipiodol protection strategy to create an effective barrier against water, enabling a sustained release of ethanol. Functionally, the released ethanol upregulated intracellular cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1), triggering metabolic oxidative stress in hepatocellular carcinoma cells, which acted synergistically with released copper ion-induced cuproptosis, ultimately leading to robust cell death. Furthermore, the Lipiodol dispersant served as a potent radiosensitizer, significantly enhancing the tumor-inhibiting efficacy upon radiotherapy in an H22 murine hepatoma model. Notably, we discovered that this trimodal therapeutic strategy could also initiate a robust antitumor immune response, which established long-lasting immunological memory, thereby effectively suppressing tumor recurrence and metastasis. Our work successfully establishes metal alkoxides nanoparticles as a highly promising class of nanotherapeutic agents for hepatocellular carcinoma treatment.

Journal

Biomaterials cover
Biomaterials
IF:
12.9
Papers:
1.9W
Citations:
10.8W

Organization

N
nanjing university of posts & telecommunications
Scholars:
1.1K
Papers: 362
Citations: 0
S
shandong university of traditional chinese medicine
Scholars:
1.3K
Papers: 410
Citations: 0
N
Nanyang Technological University
Scholars:
4.8W
Papers: 4.7W
Citations: 8.1W
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