Targeting cancer-associated fibroblasts with hydroxyethyl starch nanomedicine boosts cancer therapy

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play an important role in facilitating the progression of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) by deteriorating the tumor mechanical microenvironment (TMME). Herein, we designed a CAFs-targeting nanomedicine by conjugating doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded hydroxyethyl starch-IR780 nanoparticles (NPs) with Cys-Arg-Glu-Lys-Ala (CREKA) peptide, which had a special affinity for fibronectin overexpressed on CAFs. After systemic administration, the NPs efficiently targeted CAFs and generated hyperthermia upon light irradiation, decreasing CAFs through the combination of chemo- and photothermal-therapies. Thus, a series of changes in TMME were achieved by reducing CAFs, which further disrupted the niche of cancer stem cells (CSCs) to affect their survival. As a result, the tumor growth was significantly inhibited in 4T1 tumors. The strategy of TMME modulation and CSCs elimination through targeting and depleting CAFs provides a novel therapeutic treatment for desmoplastic solid tumors.

Automated summary

Researchers designed a nanomedicine that specifically targets cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) by conjugating doxorubicin-loaded hydroxyethyl starch-IR780 nanoparticles with a CREKA peptide. The nanomedicine effectively targeted CAFs and generated hyperthermia upon light irradiation, leading to a reduction in CAFs through chemo- and photothermal-therapies. By modulating the tumor mechanical microenvironment (TMME) and eliminating cancer stem cells (CSCs), the growth of the 4T1 tumor was significantly inhibited. This strategy provides a novel therapeutic treatment for desmoplastic solid tumors.