Endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria dual-targeting nanoplatform suppresses cancer stemness and enhances colorectal cancer immunotherapy

Abstract

Cancer stemness in colorectal cancer (CRC) drives immune evasion and fosters an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), limiting the efficacy of immunotherapy. To counteract this stemness-driven immune evasion, we developed a hyaluronic acid (HA) surface-modified dual-targeting nanoplatform (HA/pCe6-Ato NPs) that induces both endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. HA functionalization facilitates tumor-specific targeting via CD44 receptor-mediated endocytosis. The nanoplatform incorporates an ER-targeting photosensitizer, pCe6, synthesized by conjugating Chlorin e6 with p-Toluenesulfonamide, and the mitochondrial respiratory chain inhibitor atovaquone (Ato), which self-assembles into nanoparticles. Upon activation, HA/pCe6-Ato NPs induce ER stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, disrupting cancer stemness and reprogramming the immunosuppressive TME. Preclinical evaluations showed that HA/pCe6-Ato NPs promote apoptosis and accelerate reactive oxygen species production in cancer stem-like cells (CSCs), while reducing immunosuppressive factor secretion and enhancing immune effector cell infiltration. These effects synergistically enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy, achieving superior tumor inhibition compared with conventional monotherapies. Collectively, HA/pCe6-Ato NPs highlight the potential of organelle-targeting strategies to dismantle cancer resilience mechanisms, providing a foundation for dual-targeting nanomedicines to overcome resistance and enhance immunotherapy in CRC.