A glutathione-responsive sulfur dioxide polymer prodrug selectively induces ferroptosis in gastric cancer therapy

Biomater Sci. 2022 Jul 26;10(15):4184-4192. doi: 10.1039/d2bm00678b.

Abstract

Nanoparticle-induced ferroptosis has been proven to be an appealing strategy in cancer treatment. Previously, we reported the synthesis of an amphiphilic polymer prodrug of SO2, mPEG-PLG(DNs), which could self-assemble to formulate nanoparticles (NP-DNs) and trigger cancer cell death by GSH consumption and SO2 release. In the current study, the potential mechanism of NP-DNs-induced cell death was further investigated. We demonstrated that NP-DNs exhibited efficient antitumor activity against gastric cancer via ferroptosis. NP-DNs could selectively accelerate lipid peroxidation through GSH depletion and SO2 generation in gastric cancer cells. In addition, the NP-DNs-induced GPX4 reduction played a collaborative role in ferroptosis. Concurrently, in vivo evaluations revealed that NP-DNs not only exhibited excellent antitumor efficiency via ferroptosis but also caused little systemic toxicity in mice. All the results showed that NP-DNs would be a promising prodrug in precision-targeted ferroptosis therapy.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Ferroptosis*
  • Glutathione / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Polymers
  • Prodrugs* / pharmacology
  • Prodrugs* / therapeutic use
  • Stomach Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Sulfur Dioxide

Substances

  • Polymers
  • Prodrugs
  • Sulfur Dioxide
  • Glutathione