journal article·2025-10Open access

Dual‐Targeted Nanovesicles Induced Cancer Stem‐Like Cell Differentiation to Sensitize Hepatocellular Carcinoma Radiotherapy

Hongmei Cao, Qian Wang, Yanan Niu, Shuxiang Wang, Haixue Jia, Dianyu Wang, Jinjian Liu, Wei Yuan, Lijun Yang, Jianfeng Liu

Advanced Science· Volume 12· Issue 39

Abstract

Abstract Highly plastic cancer stem‐like cells (CSCs) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) drive tumor heterogeneity, contributing to radiotherapy failure. Although inducing CSC differentiation is proven effective in leukemia, this approach is shown limited success in solid tumors due to the complex signaling networks that sustain CSC stemness. In this study, the synergistic effect of Pin1 and Notch1 in HCC is identified, which plays a pivotal role in maintaining the aggressiveness of CSCs and promoting radioresistance. Building on this discovery, biomimetic nanovesicles (CALT‐GM‐NVs) are engineered by infusing tumor cell membranes into liposomes, which exhibit superior binding affinity to CSCs. RNA sequencing reveals that CALT‐GM‐NVs downregulate oncogenic signaling pathways while upregulating those linked to differentiation and apoptosis. In vivo, CALT‐GM‐NVs significantly reduced CSC‐driven radiotolerance and improved radiotherapy efficacy in both cell line‐derived and patient‐derived HCC xenograft models. These findings highlight the potential of simultaneously targeting Pin1 and Notch1 to induce CSC differentiation and provide a promising radiosensitizer for improving HCC radiotherapy outcomes.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: RNA Interference and Gene Delivery · Signaling Pathways in Disease · Autophagy in Disease and Therapy

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

Affiliations

State Key Laboratory of Advanced Medical Materials and Devices Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine Key Laboratory of Radiopharmacokinetics for Innovative Drugs Tianjin Institutes of Health Science Institute of Radiation Medicine Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College Tianjin 300192 P. R. China

State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College Beijing 100021 P. R. China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China · China Postdoctoral Science Foundation · Peking Union Medical College

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