Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Weidong Ni, Wenhao Zhu, Wen Wu, Jie Chen, Ping Ren, Fangfang Chen
Summary: Immunotherapy has become a powerful approach for tumor prevention and treatment. Nanoscale metal-organic framework (NMOF)-mediated immunogenic cell death (ICD) represents a promising strategy to activate the immune system and remodel the tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment into an antitumor immune microenvironment, showing potential for clinical applications.
MATERIALS & DESIGN
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Satyapriya Nath, Adithyan Puthukkudi, Jeebanjyoti Mohapatra, Bishnu P. Biswal
Summary: COFs are a type of material with diverse synthetic strategies and knowledge of reticular chemistry, and they have potential applications in gas storage, molecular separation, catalysis, energy storage, and magnetism. Recently, they have gained interest as nonlinear optical (NLO) materials due to their advantages of high mechanical strength, thermochemical stability, and extended conjugation.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Nem Singh, Miae Won, Yunjie Xu, Changyu Yoon, Jiyoung Yoo, Mingle Li, Heemin Kang, Jong Seung Kim
Summary: Hypoxia is a common occurrence in the tumor microenvironment and poses challenges for cancer treatment. The introduction of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) offers promising prospects for addressing hypoxia-related issues. This article explores the role of COFs in enhancing oxygen delivery, generating reactive oxygen species, optimizing drug delivery, and enabling hypoxia-specific imaging, as well as outlining their applications in various hypoxia-targeting therapeutic modalities.
COORDINATION CHEMISTRY REVIEWS
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Shenwu Zhang, Jing Wang, Zhiqiang Kong, Xinxin Sun, Zhonggui He, Bingjun Sun, Cong Luo, Jin Sun
Summary: Immunotherapy is a promising cancer treatment, but its efficacy for immune-cold tumors is not satisfactory. Photodynamic therapy can effectively induce immunogenic cell death, and the use of nanotechnology enhances the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy. This article reviews recent advances in photodynamic therapy, nanotechnology, and immunogenic cell death, and discusses the prospects and challenges in this field.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Lei Chen, Jie Zhang, Kairui Cai, Lianke Wang, Xiaojiao Zhu, Zhipeng Yu, Feng Zhong, Hongping Zhou
Summary: By tuning the surface charges of COFs, two solution-dispersible nanoparticle COFs with improved subcellular targeting ability and enhanced ROS generation ability were prepared and successfully applied for imaging-guided type I PDT, providing a promising strategy to expand the biomedical applications of COFs.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Pengfei Dong, Haifeng Lv, Rengan Luo, Zhen Li, Xiaojun Wu, Jianping Lei
Summary: In this study, three kinds of nanoscale covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with tunable local polarization were designed to accelerate the generation of O2 center dot- in type I photodynamic therapy. The tetrakis-(4-formylphenyl)benzene-based COF (TB-COF) exhibited highly aggravated local polarization and matched with the energy level required for the photoinduced e- reduction of O2/O2 center dot-. The elongated charge-separated state of TB-COF was identified and the inhibited electron-hole recombination of COFs improved the O2 center dot- production efficiency in the acidic microenvironment of tumor cells or in vivo, enhancing the anti-cancer effect. The reticular polarization engineering of COFs provides a new paradigm for type I PDT in biomedical applications.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Bin Wang, Dongsheng Tang, Johannes Karges, Minhui Cui, Haihua Xiao
Summary: Tumor immunotherapy is a promising clinical technique for treating cancer tumors, but the immunosuppressive microenvironment limits its effectiveness. To enhance the therapeutic effect, a platinum complex and a BODIPY photosensitizer are encapsulated into multimodal nanoparticles capable of inducing immune response and cell death in cancer cells. These nanoparticles show a strong multimodal mechanism of action through combined chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy, and immunotherapy, effectively eradicating triple-negative breast cancer tumors and improving the survival rate of tumor-bearing mice models.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiuyan Wan, Huiwen Zhang, Wei Pan, Na Li, Bo Tang
Summary: A new enzyme nanopocket was developed from a porphyrin-based covalent organic framework (COF) for co-loading glucose oxidase (GOx) and catalase (CAT) to achieve long-term starvation therapy and enhanced photodynamic therapy (PDT).
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Nabab Khan, Garima Slathia, Kajal Kaliya, Ankit Saneja
Summary: Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have emerged as promising nanoplatforms for cancer therapeutics due to their biocompatibility, tunable cavities, excellent crystallinity, ease of modification, and high flexibility. In this review, recent advances in utilizing COFs for chemotherapeutic agents, photodynamic therapy (PDT), photothermal therapy (PTT), sonodynamic therapy (SDT), cancer diagnostics, and combinatorial therapy are outlined. The current challenges and future directions of this unique research field are also summarized.
DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tian-Xiang Luan, Lehan Du, Jia-Rui Wang, Keyu Li, Quan Zhang, Pei-Zhou Li, Yanli Zhao
Summary: This study presents a new covalent organic framework (COF) named PyPor-COF, which is a highly efficient photosensitizer. The COF combines photoactive porphyrin moieties through in situ-formed imidazole groups and exhibits high crystallinity, permanent porosity, robust stability, and semiconductive photo response activity. It can effectively initiate the generation of singlet oxygen (1O2) under visible-light irradiation, surpassing the efficiency of other porphyrin-based reactants and commercially available photosensitizing agents. The COF also shows potential in triggering 1O2 production in a physiological environment, making it a promising candidate for photodynamic therapy.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Liang Zhang, Lei-Lei Yang, Shu-Cheng Wan, Qi-Chao Yang, Yao Xiao, Hexiang Deng, Zhi-Jun Sun
Summary: A series of three-dimensional (3D) covalent organic frameworks (COFs) were designed and synthesized as inducers for immunogenic cell death (ICD) in cancer immunotherapy. These COFs exhibit outstanding ICD-inducing efficiency and one member, COF-609, showed significant therapeutic effects in a mouse model of breast cancer.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Haiqin Song, Zhenghao Cai, Juyi Li, Haihua Xiao, Ruogu Qi, Minhua Zheng
Summary: Photodynamic therapy combined with chemotherapy and immunotherapy using a triple action cationic porphyrin-cisplatin conjugate showed promising results in this study. The nanoparticles delivered the drugs and generated reactive oxygen species for treatment, while triggering immunogenic cell death cascade. This novel approach has great potential in cancer treatment.
JOURNAL OF NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuling Zhao, Yue Zhao, Cailing Wu, Jikuan Qiu, Huiyong Wang, Zhiyong Li, Yang Zhao, Jianji Wang
Summary: By incorporating azobenzene groups in the conjugated framework of COFs, the pi-pi stacking interactions between adjacent layers are reinforced, increasing the chemical stability of the materials. The resulting COFs exhibit extreme stability in harsh environments such as strong acid, strong base, aqueous reducing agent, and boiling water. These stable COFs can efficiently remove organic micropollutants from water and show excellent reusability over a wide pH range.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ha L. Nguyen
Summary: Atmospheric water harvesting using reticular materials, particularly covalent organic frameworks (COFs), shows great potential due to their metal-free nature, stability, and customizable structure for this purpose. This article discusses the important features for synthesizing suitable water-harvesting COFs and highlights the achievements and structural design-related properties of using COFs as water harvesters. Perspectives and research directions for further studies in COF chemistry are also provided.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Debabrata Dutta, Jingbo Wang, Xiang Li, Qinghao Zhou, Zhishen Ge
Summary: This study presents the use of covalent organic framework (COF) nanoparticles loaded with the near-infrared (NIR) dye cypate for oxygen-independent generation of singlet oxygen (O-1(2)), allowing for concurrent photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) under NIR irradiation. The COF nanoparticles protect cypate from photodegradation and improve its photostability and photothermal conversion efficiency. Upon NIR irradiation, the COF nanoparticles release the stored O-1(2) and induce ablation of tumors through oxygen-independent concurrent PTT/PDT.
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Meng-Jie Zhang, Cong-Cong Wu, Shuo Wang, Lei-Lei Yang, Zhi-Jun Sun
Summary: This study found that the expression levels of LAG3, TIM3, and A2aR are significantly increased in AdCC and MEC and may be closely related to migration, TGF-beta 1, and oncogenic signaling pathways.
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Shiru Zhang, Yundi Jiao, Yang Hou, Zhijun Sun, Zhaoqing Sun
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jun-Jie Zhou, Xiao-Hong Li, Peng-Yu He, Fu-Yu Qi, Muhammad Wajid Ullah, Shu-Jin Li, Yuan-Tong Liu, Lin-Lin Bu, Guang Yang, Zhi-Jun Sun
Summary: A newly developed multifunctional nanocomposite combining photothermal therapy and immune checkpoint blockade shows potential for controlling local recurrence of HNSCC.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Meng-Jie Zhang, Meng-Yun Liang, Shao-Chen Yang, Xian-Bin Ma, Shu-Cheng Wan, Qi-Chao Yang, Shuo Wang, Zhigang Xu, Zhi-Jun Sun
Summary: Glutathione-responsive nanogels (CDNPs) crosslinked with crosslinker DBHD incorporating BRAF inhibitor dabrafenib and COX2 inhibitor celecoxib were synthesized. The CDNPs can efficiently induce tumor cell pyroptosis and activate strong antitumor immunity. Furthermore, CDNPs combined with alpha PD-1 antibody significantly suppressed tumor growth and prolonged survival in a melanoma mouse model.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Yuan-Yuan Wang, Wen-Da Wang, Zhi-Jun Sun
Summary: Immunotherapy, specifically immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), has shown significant superiority in overcoming tumor immune escape. However, the formation of an immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) and the lack of effective activation of the immune response are limiting its development. This review focuses on the collusions between cancer stem cells (CSCs) and tumor-infiltrating immune cells, highlighting the importance of CSC-immune cell crosstalk in ICB resistance and the potential application of targeted drugs to improve the ICB response.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xianbin Ma, Wen Su, Mengjie Ye, Yuan Gao, Wei Qiu, Mengyun Liang, Peng Xue, Yuejun Kang, Zhi-Jun Sun, Zhigang Xu
Summary: In this study, an endogenous/exogenous stimulus-activatable unimolecular polyprodrug, named CCNP, is reported to precisely regulate gasdermin E (GSDME)-mediated tumor pyroptosis. The nano-inducer is specifically triggered by noninvasive laser radiation and tumor microenvironment reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH), leading to the activation of caspase-3 and the initiation of pyroptosis. This multi-stimulus-responsive nanomedicine provides a new perspective on how to induce and regulate tumor cell pyroptosis for immune checkpoint blockade therapy.
Article
Oncology
Liang Mao, Jun-Jie Zhou, Yao Xiao, Qi-Chao Yang, Shao-Chen Yang, Shuo Wang, Zhi-Zhong Wu, Hong-Gang Xiong, Hai-Jun Yu, Zhi-Jun Sun
Summary: Combining immunogenic radiotherapy with anti-PD-L1 treatment can enhance the immune response in immunotherapy-resistant HNSCC mouse models.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Yuan -Yuan Wang, Zhi-Zhong Wu, Cong-Fa Huang, Zhi-Jun Sun
Summary: Immunotherapy, particularly immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), has shown promise in cancer treatment but its efficacy is limited. This study focuses on understanding the alterations in the systemic immune system and immune macroenvironment and explores the role of the spleen, especially erythroid progenitor cells (EPCs), in tumor progression and immunotherapy. The findings suggest the potential for further research on EPCs and their mechanisms in tumor treatment.
Article
Oncology
Yao Xiao, Liang Mao, Qi-Chao Yang, Shuo Wang, Zhi-Zhong Wu, Shu-Cheng Wan, Meng-Jie Zhang, Zhi-Jun Sun
Summary: CD103+CD8+T cells are a subtype of T cells with excellent tumor killing ability and they respond to immune checkpoint blockade therapy in several types of cancer, but the phenotype, role and molecular mechanism of CD103+CD8+T cells in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) are still unclear.
Article
Oncology
Jun Xie, Shaowei Wang, Yunhong Zhong, Ming Gao, Xuezhang Tian, Liting Zhang, Dongli Pan, Qingsong Qin, Bing Wu, Ke Lan, Zhi-Jun Sun, Junjie Zhang
Summary: Oncolytic viruses encoding various transgenes have been used to reverse the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, but the antiviral restriction factors that limit viral replication have been overlooked. In this study, researchers found that expressing a bacterial E3 ubiquitin ligase can effectively counteract a restriction factor and improve viral replication and therapeutic efficacy.
MOLECULAR THERAPY-ONCOLYTICS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wuyin Wang, Wentao Mo, Zishan Hang, Yueying Huang, Hong Yi, Zhijun Sun, Aiwen Lei
Summary: Transition metal element, copper, plays diverse and pivotal roles in oncology. It acts as constituents of metalloenzymes involved in cellular metabolism, function as signaling molecules to regulate the proliferation and metastasis of tumors, and are integral components of metal-based anticancer drugs. Notably, recent research reveals that excessive copper can also modulate the occurrence of programmed cell death (PCD), known as cuprotosis, in cancer cells.
Article
Oncology
Hao Li, Jia-Yi Ding, Meng-Jie Zhang, Hai-Jun Yu, Zhi-Jun Sun
Summary: Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) are organized aggregates of lymphocytes and antigen-presenting cells that develop in non-lymphoid tissues during chronic inflammation, resembling the structure and features of secondary lymphoid organs. TLSs have been shown to play a crucial role in antitumor immunity within solid tumors, facilitating T cell and B cell differentiation and the production of antitumor antibodies. The formation of TLSs is driven by the cytokine signaling network between various cell populations, and this review comprehensively describes the mechanisms and therapeutic potential of exploiting these mechanisms to induce or enhance intratumoral TLSs for immunotherapy.
Article
Oncology
Ruo-Nan Zhang, Zhi-Qian Jing, Lu Zhang, Zhi-Jun Sun
Summary: Immune checkpoint blockade therapy has revolutionized cancer treatment by providing durable responses in advanced and metastatic cancers. However, immune suppressive cells and molecules in the tumor microenvironment can hinder the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Pyroptosis, a type of programmed cell death, can transform "cold" tumors to "hot" tumors, enhancing the immune response and preventing tumor growth. Recent evidence suggests that epigenetic regulation of pyroptosis could be a promising therapeutic strategy. This review discusses the mechanism of pyroptosis and summarizes the role of three common epigenetic factors in regulating pyroptosis in cancer. Targeting epigenetic regulation of pyroptosis could provide new insights and advances in cancer therapy.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Liang Zhang, An Song, Qi-Chao Yang, Shu-Jin Li, Shuo Wang, Shu-Cheng Wan, Jianwei Sun, Ryan T. K. Kwok, Jacky W. Y. Lam, Hexiang Deng, Ben Zhong Tang, Zhi-Jun Sun
Summary: This study presents a dual-inducer called COF-919, based on non-metallic AIEgen-based covalent organic frameworks, capable of triggering both pyroptosis and ferroptosis, resulting in enhanced anti-tumor immunity and inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Yuantong Liu, Shujin Li, Shuo Wang, Qichao Yang, Zhizhong Wu, Mengjie Zhang, Lei Chen, Zhijun Sun
Summary: Cancer stem cell-like cells (CSCs) play a crucial role in the heterogeneity, metastasis, and treatment resistance of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The gene LIMP-2 has been identified as a potential therapeutic target for regulating HNSCC progression and CSC properties. High expression of LIMP-2 suggests poor prognosis and potential immunotherapy resistance in HNSCC patients. Mechanistically, enhanced autophagy mediated by LIMP-2 helps HNSCC maintain stemness and facilitates the transcription of downstream target genes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ORAL SCIENCE
(2023)