Metal-fluorouracil networks with disruption of mitochondrion enhanced ferroptosis for synergistic immune activation

Rationale: Ferroptosis drugs inducing cancer immunogenic cell death (ICD) have shown the potential of immunotherapy in vivo. However, the current ferroptosis drugs usually induce the insufficient immune response because of the low ROS generation efficiency. Methods: Herein, we design zinc-fluorouracil metallodrug networks (Zn-Fu MNs), by coordinating Zn and Fu via facile one-pot preparation, to inactivate mitochondria! electron transport for enhanced ROS production and immune activation. Results: Zn-Fu MNs can be responsive toward acidity and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) with the release of Fu and Zn2+, during which Zn2+ can induce mitochondrion disruption to produce ROS, resulting in ferroptosis of cancer cells and 5-Fu interferes with DNA synthesis in nuclei with F-19-MRI signal to be switched on for correlating drug release. With the synergistic effect of DNA damage and ferroptosis, the cancer cells are forced to promote ICD. Thereby, Zn-Fu MNs exhibit the excellent immune response without any other antigens loading. As a result, the infiltration of T cells within tumor and activation of immune cells in spleen have been greatly enhanced. Conclusions: Combined DNA damage and ferroptosis, Zn-Fu MNs induce the violent emission of tumor associated antigens within cancer cells which will sensitize naive dendritic cells and promote the activation and recruitment of cytotoxic T lymphocytes to exterminate cancer cells. Therefore, the obtained Zn-Fu MNs as ferroptosis inducers can effectively remodel immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and activate antitumor immune reaction.

Automated summary

In this study, zinc-fluorouracil metallodrug networks (Zn-Fu MNs) were designed to enhance immune activity and ROS production. Zn-Fu MNs were found to respond to acidity and ATP, releasing fluorouracil and zinc ions to induce ferroptosis in cancer cells. The synergistic effect of DNA damage and ferroptosis promoted immunogenic cell death and immune cell activation.