Multi-Path ROS Storm and Immune Activation via Sulfur Vacancy-Optimized ZnIn2S4 Nanosheets for Piezocatalytic Tumor Therapy

Abstract

Piezoecatalytic therapy is a novel therapeutic strategy that uses mechanical energy to drive catalytic reactions to generate cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, existing materials are limited by low intrinsic catalytic efficiency and a single route to ROS production. This makes it difficult to break through the antioxidant barrier of the tumor microenvironment, which severely limits the antitumor efficacy. Herein, we synthesized sulfur vacancy (Sv)-engineered ZnIn2S4 nanosheets (ZIS-2/4/8) by adjusting the concentrations of sulfur source thioacetamide (TAA). The increase in Sv concentration simultaneously achieved the optimization of the energy band structure and the enhancement of the piezoelectric performance (d33 from 21.6 to 46.7 mV/V). Under US irradiation, Sv-ZnIn2S4 can efficiently generate ROS storms via multiple pathways, including ·O2-, 1O2, ·OH and H2O2, which overcome the limitations of the tumor microenvironment and achieved effective tumor cell killing. In addition, the ROS storm induced by the US can also initiate immunogenic cell death (ICD), promoting dendritic cells (DCs) maturation and CD8⁺ T cells infiltration. This multi-pathway ROS burst strategy not only breaks through tumor antioxidant defenses, but also induces ICD to form a cascade of immune responses. This demonstrates the advantages of combining piezocatalytic and immunotherapy.