{"title":"A multifunctional Janus-inspired therapeutic patch enabling intraoperative control of tumor dissemination and unidirectional drug delivery.","authors":"Xuan Pan, Xiaoming Wang, Qin Dang, Longjiang Chen, Guannan Wang, Xu Wang, Shihang Xi, Huaqing Zhang, Xiaosan Fang","doi":"10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.103478","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.103478","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Postoperative recurrence and metastasis remain formidable challenges in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), primarily due to bleeding-driven tumor dissemination and residual microscopic lesions after resection. However, the current surgical operation offers limited intraoperative treatment strategies to prevent these events. Herein, a multifunctional Janus-inspired therapeutic patch (JTP) is designed to bridge surgical resection and localized chemotherapy within a single intraoperative implant. The JTP features a trilayer Janus architecture that enables integrated control over hemostasis, tumor interception, and intratumoral chemotherapy. Specifically, the inner gelatin-hyaluronic acid sponge enables rapid hemostasis (1.24 min) and capture of circulating tumor cells. The middle gemcitabine-loaded polylactic acid nanofiber layer enables sustained and local drug release of gemcitabine (GEM) toward the surgical resection site, while the outer hydrophobic polycaprolactone backing serves as a protective barrier, preventing peritoneal adhesion and drug diffusion in unwanted directions (less than 5%). In an orthotopic PDAC resection model, a single JTP implantation achieved 78% blood loss reduction, ∼89% tumor suppression, and substantial inhibition of hepatic metastasis, extending survival to 38 days with 80% survival rate. By transforming the surgical site into an active therapeutic interface, this Janus-inspired patch establishes an effective strategy that bridges surgery and intratumoral chemotherapy for effective postoperative PDAC control.</p>","PeriodicalId":18310,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Bio","volume":"39 ","pages":"103478"},"PeriodicalIF":11.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13430261/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148669170","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Hyaluronic acid-engineered copper sulfide nanoparticles as immunomodulatory metal sulfide photothermal agents for macrophage-assisted osteosarcoma therapy.","authors":"Yitian Wang, Wei Yu, Bing Liu, Gautam Sethi, Xudong Miao, Bing Xiao, Huimin Tao","doi":"10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.103493","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.103493","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Metal sulfide nanomaterials have emerged as promising photothermal agents for cancer therapy owing to their strong near-infrared absorption, favorable biocompatibility, and tunable surface chemistry. However, insufficient tumor accumulation and limited immunological activation remain major obstacles restricting their therapeutic efficacy in solid tumors. Herein, we report a macrophage-assisted delivery strategy based on hyaluronic acid-engineered copper sulfide nanoparticles (HA@CuS NPs) for enhanced photothermal-immunotherapy against osteosarcoma. In this system, adoptively transferred RAW264.7 macrophages were intravenously administered to increase macrophage enrichment within the osteosarcoma microenvironment, while HA@CuS NPs were rationally designed to target both tumor cells and tumor-associated macrophages through HA-mediated cellular recognition. The HA-coated CuS nanoparticles displayed good colloidal stability, efficient near-infrared photothermal conversion, and enhanced cellular uptake by osteosarcoma cells and macrophages. Importantly, macrophages acted as cellular reservoirs for CuS nanoparticles, promoting tumor accumulation and improving intratumoral photothermal distribution. Under 808-nm laser irradiation, the combined macrophage/HA@CuS treatment produced stronger tumor heating and more effective osteosarcoma ablation than HA@CuS nanoparticles alone. Beyond direct photothermal killing, HA@CuS nanoparticles also remodeled the tumor immune microenvironment by promoting M1-like polarization of tumor-associated macrophages, increasing IL-12p40 secretion, reducing IL-10 levels, and enhancing cytotoxic T lymphocyte infiltration. These immune-regulatory effects further amplified the antitumor response induced by photothermal therapy. Collectively, this study demonstrates that HA-engineered copper sulfide nanoparticles can function not only as metal sulfide photothermal agents but also as immunomodulatory nanomaterials. The integration of macrophage-assisted tumor delivery with CuS-based photothermal therapy provides a promising strategy for improving the therapeutic efficacy of metal-based nanomedicine against osteosarcoma.</p>","PeriodicalId":18310,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Bio","volume":"39 ","pages":"103493"},"PeriodicalIF":11.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13452250/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148697691","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Materials Today BioPub Date : 2026-07-23eCollection Date: 2026-08-01DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.103487
Zhihui Dou, Huiwen Lei, Jingfen Yang, MengYao Li, Shuting Wang, Xingting Bao, Li Ma, Jinjiang Li, Yong Yin, Tianyuan Dai
{"title":"Harnessing the sparing effect of FLASH-RT: From phenomenon observation, radiophysical determinants to molecular mechanisms and synergistic strategies.","authors":"Zhihui Dou, Huiwen Lei, Jingfen Yang, MengYao Li, Shuting Wang, Xingting Bao, Li Ma, Jinjiang Li, Yong Yin, Tianyuan Dai","doi":"10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.103487","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.103487","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>FLASH radiotherapy (FLASH-RT) represents an innovative paradigm shift in radiation oncology. It is distinguished from conventional radiotherapy (CONV-RT) by the ultra-high dose rate (>40 Gy/s) radiation delivery to tumours within sub-millisecond bursts. Increasing preclinical studies have shown that FLASH-RT markedly reduces normal tissue toxicity without compromising antitumor efficacy, termed the \"FLASH effect\". Despite its potential, clinical implementation remains constrained by several challenges, including the incomplete understanding of its underlying biological mechanisms, the optimization of physical parameters, and ongoing technological hurdles. In this review, we systematically reviewed and synthesized the preclinical evidence across multiple organ systems, delineating the complex interplay of physical parameters that govern biological outcomes of FLASH-RT. Moving beyond phenomenological observations, this review provides a rigorous synthesis of mechanism ranging from initial physicochemical to biological processes, including transient oxygen depletion, radical recombination, differential DNA damage response, and mitochondrial reprogramming. A central focus is placed on the potent immunomodulatory role of FLASH-RT, highlighting its ability to preserve systemic immune competence and reshape the tumor immune microenvironment. These unique advantages have facilitated the initiation of FLASH-related clinical trials and position FLASH-RT as an exceptionally promising partner for next-generation immunotherapy, spatially fractionated approaches, and nanomedicine-based radio-sensitization research. While promising, mature clinical translation faces challenges. By synthesizing the interplay between ultra-high dose rate physics and molecular radiobiology, this review provides an integrated framework designed to translate fundamental FLASH effects into predictable and optimized therapeutic strategies for the next generation of precision cancer treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":18310,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Bio","volume":"39 ","pages":"103487"},"PeriodicalIF":11.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13430264/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148669619","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Synergistic nanoparticle dyad improving tumor immunogenicity and reshaping tolerogenic dendritic cells in hepatocellular carcinoma.","authors":"Chang Liu, Xiejun Zhao, Hui Song, Yiwen Yuan, Jia Ma, Yingtong Dong, Tianzhao Xu, Xiaojiao Li, Xinghui Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.103488","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.103488","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a global health challenge with limited treatment efficacy despite advances in immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). The low immunogenicity of HCC tumors and impaired dendritic cell (DC) function contribute to suboptimal therapeutic outcomes. To address these limitations, we developed a synergistic nanoparticle dyad combining tumoricidal and immunomodulatory components. Specifically, an anti-GPC3-antibody-conjugated, emodin-loaded spiky mesoporous silica nanoparticle (E-SMSNα) selectively targets HCC cells to induce immunogenic cell death, while a matured DC-membrane-camouflaged, c-di-AMP-loaded nanoparticle (A-MSNm) reprograms dysfunctional DCs, bridging innate and adaptive immunity. This combinatorial approach synergistically promotes antitumor immunity, significantly suppressing primary tumor growth and inducing durable protection against tumor rechallenge. Moreover, it shows strong synergy with PD-1 checkpoint blockade, positioning it as a promising strategy for HCC immunotherapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":18310,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Bio","volume":"39 ","pages":"103488"},"PeriodicalIF":11.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13446102/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148685101","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Self-assembled nano-PROTACs potentiate colorectal cancer immunotherapy via downregulating PD-L1 and GPX4 expression.","authors":"Xueping Luo, Yixin Liu, Guangmiao Chen, Xinrui Ma, Pingping Xu, Yutong Li, Longyu Zheng, Rongrong Zheng, Youqin Xu, Shiying Li, Linping Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.103491","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.103491","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Ferroptosis, a form of regulated cell death that is iron-dependent and driven by the accumulation of lipid peroxides (LPO), has emerged as a promising avenue for enhancing tumor immunogenicity and augmenting immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) efficacy. In this study, we demonstrated that dBET57, a BRD4-targeting PROTAC, potently suppresses the expression of GPX4, the master negative regulator of ferroptosis, thereby triggering ferroptotic cell death, while concurrently downregulating PD-L1 to reverse immune evasion. Based on this, we developed a self-assembled nano-PROTAC platform, termed dBET@TF, designed to amplify ferroptosis and potentiate colorectal cancer immunotherapy. Specifically, dBET@TF was constructed via self-assembly of dBET57, tannic acid, and Fe<sup>3+</sup>, which endowed the formulation with acid-responsive drug release capability and significantly improved its intracellular delivery efficiency. Mechanistically, dBET@TF promoted ferroptosis through iron accumulation and GPX4 depletion, triggering robust immunogenic cell death (ICD). Concurrently, BRD4 degradation mediated by dBET@TF durably suppressed PD-L1 expression, reprogramming the tumor microenvironment to foster enhanced immune activation, characterized by increased infiltration of natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). As a result, dBET@TF significantly potentiated the therapeutic response to αPD-1 in both primary tumor and experimental lung metastasis models. Overall, this work establishes a novel PROTAC-based therapeutic strategy that leverages BRD4 degradation to amplify ferroptosis and remodel antitumor immunity, offering a promising approach to potentiate colorectal cancer immunotherapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":18310,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Bio","volume":"39 ","pages":"103491"},"PeriodicalIF":11.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13446093/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148685107","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Materials Today BioPub Date : 2026-07-22eCollection Date: 2026-08-01DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.103482
Jing Zhou, Jiali Tang, Zehao Huang, Zixuan Liang, Yunxi Huang, Qi Zeng, Chao Yu, Junjie Liu, Yuanyuan Chen, Sida Wang, Nuo Yang, Yan Deng
{"title":"Cardiac-targeting peptide-modified Prussian blue nanozymes loaded with Astragaloside IV for efficient ICI-myocarditis therapy.","authors":"Jing Zhou, Jiali Tang, Zehao Huang, Zixuan Liang, Yunxi Huang, Qi Zeng, Chao Yu, Junjie Liu, Yuanyuan Chen, Sida Wang, Nuo Yang, Yan Deng","doi":"10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.103482","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.103482","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy can trigger immune-related adverse events across multiple organs, and myocarditis remains among the most lethal cardiac manifestations, culminating in arrhythmias and heart failure. Current management primarily relies on ICI interruption and empirical immunosuppression, but this broad strategy lacks heart-targeted precision and does not specifically address the concurrent immune and oxidative components of myocardial injury. Two major challenges therefore remain: insufficient therapeutic exposure within inflamed myocardium and the need to restrain pathogenic immune activation while protecting stressed cardiomyocytes from oxidative damage. Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) is appealing for pleiotropic cardioprotection and immunoregulation, yet limited bioavailability and insufficient myocardial exposure constrain its in vivo efficacy. Here we develop AS@PB-CTP, a cardiac-homing nanozyme integrating Prussian blue (PB) with SOD/CAT/POD-like catalysis, an AS-IV payload, and a cardiac-targeting peptide (CTP). AS@PB-CTP attenuates oxidative stress-induced injury in H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>-challenged HL-1 cardiomyocytes and modulated macrophage-associated phenotypes toward an M2-like state. In the anti-PD-1/cTnI myocarditis model, AS@PB-CTP preferentially accumulates in injured myocardium, reduces leukocyte infiltration and fibrosis, and improves ventricular function, with increased ejection fraction and fractional shortening. Mechanistically, transcriptomic and protein-level analyses identified PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling as a treatment-associated pathway, while immune profiling revealed coordinated attenuation of splenic IFN-γ<sup>+</sup>CD8<sup>+</sup> effector T-cell responses and cardiac macrophage-associated inflammation. Collectively, AS@PB-CTP represents a cardiac-targeted redox-immune nanotherapeutic platform that couples catalytic antioxidant activity with immune modulation for ICI-associated myocarditis.</p>","PeriodicalId":18310,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Bio","volume":"39 ","pages":"103482"},"PeriodicalIF":11.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13430262/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148669403","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Materials Today BioPub Date : 2026-07-22eCollection Date: 2026-08-01DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.103456
Yongqi Ji, Zhao Chang, He Wang, Xiuyun Ren, Bin Zhao
{"title":"From metabolic node to smart building block: α-Ketoglutarate-empowered biomaterials for programmable cell fate.","authors":"Yongqi Ji, Zhao Chang, He Wang, Xiuyun Ren, Bin Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.103456","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.103456","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>α-Ketoglutarate serves as a metabolic node in tricarboxylic acid cycle. In recent years, its role has expanded far beyond that of an energy supplier, emerging as a crucial regulator that programs cell fate by modulating the epigenetic landscape, delaying cellular aging, and maintaining immune homeostasis. However, the clinical translation of AKG has been severely hindered by the inherent pharmacokinetic deficiencies of its monomeric form, such as low bioavailability, short in vivo half-life, and poor tissue targeting. This review proposes a paradigm shift: redefining AKG from a mere \"therapeutic molecule\" to a \"smart building block\" for AKG-empowered biomaterials. The core of this concept lies in leveraging AKG's intrinsic functional groups to directly participate in biomaterial synthesis through covalent bonds, thereby integrating it as an intrinsic component of the material framework. This achieves a leap from \"passive transportation\" to \"active construction.\" The review systematically delineates the main biological effects of AKG and evaluates three progressive engineering strategies for AKG-empowered biomaterials: from protected \"cargo,\" to functionally synergistic \"adjuvant,\" and ultimately to the material \"framework\" itself. Emphasis is placed on the significant application prospects of these intelligent materials in fields such as bone and cartilage regeneration, soft tissue repair, immune homeostasis regulation, and enhanced oncotherapy through specific cell fate programming. Finally, current challenges are addressed, and an outlook on future directions is provided. This review aims to offer a blueprint for bridging the gap from basic biology to advanced material design, promoting the establishment of a new paradigm: \"metabolism-guided materialization of cell fate programming.\"</p>","PeriodicalId":18310,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Bio","volume":"39 ","pages":"103456"},"PeriodicalIF":11.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13446101/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148684998","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Materials Today BioPub Date : 2026-07-22eCollection Date: 2026-08-01DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.103483
Mingzhi Yu, Luhan Wang, Dongsheng Liu, Jianqiang Guo, Jiahao Liu, Jiawei Zhou, Allen Mathew, Zhonglei He, Jing Wu, Nan Zhang
{"title":"High-throughput microfluidics and machine learning-assisted screening of lipid nanoparticle formulations for siRNA delivery.","authors":"Mingzhi Yu, Luhan Wang, Dongsheng Liu, Jianqiang Guo, Jiahao Liu, Jiawei Zhou, Allen Mathew, Zhonglei He, Jing Wu, Nan Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.103483","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.103483","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are among the most advanced non-viral carriers for RNA delivery; however, the optimization of LNP formulations remains challenging due to the vast and multi-dimensional formulation space. Here, we established a high-throughput microfluidic and machine learning-assisted workflow for stepwise LNP formulation prioritization for siRNA delivery. A library of 864 candidate formulations was generated, and 203 randomly selected empty LNPs were experimentally characterized. Machine learning models were then used to predict particle size and PDI across the full formulation library, supporting the selection of 25 candidates for siRNA loading and biological validation. The results showed that the size have positive relationship with lipids concentration, and the PEG ratio have negative relationship with size, and positive with PDI. After siRNA loading, all selected formulations-maintained particle sizes below 150 nm. In vitro gene silencing results showed that SM-102- and CKK-E12-based formulations achieved stronger S100P knockdown, with relative S100P expression levels reduced to 0.0744 and 0.0611, respectively. In vivo biodistribution analysis further showed that CKK-E12-based LNPs exhibited higher lung signals compared with the other three ionizable lipid groups. These results indicate that favorable physicochemical properties are necessary but not sufficient to ensure optimal biological performance, highlighting the importance of biological validation after model-assisted screening. Overall, this workflow provides a practical strategy for integrating high-throughput formulation preparation, model-assisted prioritization, and biological validation for siRNA-LNP development.</p>","PeriodicalId":18310,"journal":{"name":"Materials Today Bio","volume":"39 ","pages":"103483"},"PeriodicalIF":11.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13450591/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148697651","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}