journal article·2026-07

Mitochondria‐Targeted Zwitterionic Nanogels Trigger Photopyroptosis for Enhanced Cancer Therapy

Yuxin Huang, Shuting Mai, Shaoqi Sheng, Yichen Zhang, Licheng Yang, Yuxin Liu, Yixuan Zhu, Haibao Peng, Wuli Yang

Small· Volume 22· Issue 37
Publisher page

Abstract

ABSTRACT Precise induction of pyroptosis remains a formidable challenge in cancer therapy due to the stringent requirements for spatiotemporal and subcellular control. Herein, we report a zwitterionic nanogels platform (poly( N ‐oxide dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate), PODMMA) that enables precise induction of photopyroptosis via intrinsic mitochondrial targeting. Owing to its unique N ‐oxide zwitterionic structure, the PODMMA nanogels exhibit prolonged blood circulation, selective mitochondrial localization without the need for additional targeting ligands, and enhanced tumor accumulation. In vitro studies demonstrate that the drug‐loaded nanogels efficiently accumulate in mitochondria. Upon irradiation with a 640 nm laser (5 min, 30 mW/cm 2 ), reactive oxygen species (ROS) amplification is triggered leading to the activation of the caspase‐3/gasdermin E (GSDME) pyroptosis pathway. In vivo evaluations demonstrate exceptional therapeutic efficacy with 99.3% tumor inhibition and negligible systemic toxicity. This study establishes a versatile strategy for subcellular‐targeted photopyroptosis and precision cancer therapy.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Nanoplatforms for cancer theranostics · Inflammasome and immune disorders · Advanced Nanomaterials in Catalysis

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers Department of Macromolecular Science Fudan University Shanghai P. R. China

Institute for Translational Brain Research MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science Fudan University Shanghai P. R. China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China

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