A novel pH-responsive nanoreactor for pyroptosis induction: multifaceted ROS amplification drives potent immunotherapy against triple-negative breast cancer

  • J Nanobiotechnology. 2026 Jul 11. doi: 10.1186/s12951-026-04795-3.
Wenjia Liu  1 ,  Ying Wang  2 ,  Xiangyu Hao  2 ,  Yangxun Wang  2 ,  Xiaofan Zhang  1 ,  Jinchao Zhang  1 ,  Kun Ge  3 ,  Guoqiang Zhou  4  5
Affiliations
  • 1. College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diagnosis of Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of New Pharmaceutical Preparations and Excipients, Chemical Biology Key Laboratory of Hebei Province, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, China.
  • 2. College of Basic Medical Science, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, China.
  • 3. College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diagnosis of Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of New Pharmaceutical Preparations and Excipients, Chemical Biology Key Laboratory of Hebei Province, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, China. [email protected].
  • 4. College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Diagnosis of Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of New Pharmaceutical Preparations and Excipients, Chemical Biology Key Laboratory of Hebei Province, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, China. [email protected].
  • 5. College of Basic Medical Science, Hebei University, Baoding, 071002, China. [email protected].
PMID: 42436485 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-026-04795-3
Abstract

Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is associated with rapid progression and poor sensitivity to monotherapies, necessitating combination strategies to enhance tumor immunogenicity, reprogram the tumor microenvironment (TME), and convert immunologically "cold" Tumors into "hot" ones. In this study, we develop a pH-responsive, pyroptosis-inducing nanoreactor, ZnS/ZIF-90:Fe/Vk3 (ZZFV), designed to elicit potent antitumor immunity. Under acidic conditions, ZZFV rapidly degrades, releasing Zn2+, Fe2+, H2S, and Vk3. H2S promotes glucose uptake and consumption while downregulating cytochrome c oxidase subunit IV (COX IV) expression, whereas Zn2+ suppresses Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, collectively disrupting Glucose Metabolism and exacerbating intracellular acidification. Meanwhile, NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), highly expressed in tumor cells, catalyzes the conversion of Vk3 to H2O2, which is subsequently converted to highly toxic •OH through Fe2+-mediated Fenton reactions. Additionally, Zn2+ and H2S synergistically disrupt mitochondrial function, thereby amplifying reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Excessive ROS triggers Caspase-1-dependent Pyroptosis, leading to the liberation of damage-associated molecular patterns. These events promote dendritic cell (DC) maturation, robust T-cell activation, M1 macrophage polarization, and expansion of central memory T-cell populations, thereby conferring durable immune protection. Consequently, ZZFV demonstrates potent antitumor efficacy, effectively overcoming immune tolerance in TNBC and achieving robust, sustained antitumor immunity.

Keywords
Immunotherapy; Lung metastasis; Pyroptosis; Triple-negative breast cancer; pH-Responsive.
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