journal article·2026-03Open access

A Single‐Metal‐Doped Nanoplatform for Ferroptosis‐Driven cGAS‐STING Pathway Activation in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Immunotherapy

Yuchen Zhang, Shuang Feng, Jie Luo, Kaige Xu, Junfeng Guo, Xingyue Zhang, Mengxue Yuan, Qiang Luo, Yu Huang, Chaoqiang Fan, Kibret Mequanint, Donghui Zhu, Malcolm Xing, Shiming Yang

Advanced Functional Materials· Volume 36· Issue 18

Abstract

Abstract The cGAS‐STING signaling pathway effectively activates antitumor immune responses and holds promise for overcoming drug resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) immunotherapy. However, achieving specific activation of this pathway in HCC remains challenging. Here, it is introduced a single‐metal‐doped nanoplatform, ZMRPF, which leverages ferroptosis‐induced mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) release to stimulate cGAS‐STING‐mediated immune activation. ZMRPF initiates HCC ferroptosis by inducing high levels of lipid reactive oxygen species, leading to mitochondrial stress and the release of endogenous mtDNA. This mtDNA synergistically activates the cGAS‐STING pathway, enhanced by immunoactivating Mn 2 ⁺ ions released from ZMRPF. Concurrently, the tumor antigens released during ferroptosis amplify the activity of antigen‐presenting cells, creating a cascade that links ferroptosis with innate immunity. This cascade drives a robust systemic antitumor immune response, effectively reversing the immunosuppressive microenvironment of HCC. These results demonstrate the ability of ZMRPF to reshape the immune microenvironment of HCC and offer a promising strategy for next‐generation tumor immunotherapy.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: interferon and immune responses · Ferroptosis and cancer prognosis · Nanoplatforms for cancer theranostics

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

Affiliations

Department of Gastroenterology Xinqiao Hospital NO.183, Xinqiao Street Chongqing 400037 China

Department of Mechanical Engineering University of Manitoba Winnipeg MB R3T 2N2 Canada

Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering University of Western Ontario London ON N6A5B9 Canada

Department of Biomedical Engineering Stony Brook University Stony Brook NY 11794 USA

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