journal article·2026-06Open access

Highly Active Cu 14 Cluster Precisely Activates Autophagy Inhibitor to Amplify Cuproptosis Immunotherapy

Qiu‐Xu Zang, Wei‐Tong Chen, Yu‐Ying Shen, Zhao‐Yang Wang, Kai Li, Xueli Zhao, Yanjuan Sang, Xiaoyuan Chen, Shuang‐Quan Zang

Advanced Science· Volume 13· Issue 33

Abstract

ABSTRACT Transition metal‐mediated cleavage mechanisms have emerged as an effective means to mitigate the off‐target toxicity of conventional therapeutic agents. However, the utilization of non‐essential metal catalysts and suboptimal catalytic efficiency often compromises their therapeutic efficacy. Given the critical role of copper in biological processes and the high catalytic activities of atomically precise copper clusters rich in Cu + , herein, a Cu 14 cluster‐mediated cleavage reaction is first employed for synergistic cuproptosis‐associated immunogenic cell death (ICD) induction with localized autophagy suppression to intensify immunotherapy effects. To endow homologous targeting capability, the Cu 14 cluster is camouflaged with cancer cell membrane, obtaining Cu 14 @CM. Upon tumor accumulation, the pH‐sensitive Cu 14 @CM releases copper ions to trigger cuproptosis through lipoylated protein oligomerization and iron‐sulfur cluster protein disruption, further releasing damage‐associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and generating robust ICD. Simultaneously, the cluster catalyzes bond cleavage reactions to produce autophagy inhibitors, blocking cytoprotective autophagy to amplify DAMPs exposure. This dual‐action strategy increases dendritic cell maturation, and elevates tumor‐infiltrating cytotoxic T lymphocytes, thereby reinforcing the antitumor immune response.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Ferroptosis and cancer prognosis · Cancer Immunotherapy and Biomarkers · Nanocluster Synthesis and Applications

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

Affiliations

State Key Laboratory of Metabolic Dysregulation & Prevention and Treatment of Esophageal Cancer Henan International Joint Laboratory of Tumor Theranostic Cluster Materials College of Chemistry Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou Henan P. R. China

Tianjian Laboratory of Advanced Biomedical Sciences Institute of Advanced Biomedical Sciences Zhengzhou University Zhengzhou Henan P. R. China

Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Oncology Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences Jinan Shandong P. R. China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China · China Postdoctoral Science Foundation

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