Simultaneous Photoactivation of cGAS-STING Pathway and Pyroptosis by Platinum (II) Triphenylamine Complexes for Cancer Immunotherapy

Activation of the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of the interferon gene (cGAS-STING) pathway is a potent anticancer immunotherapeutic strategy, and the induction of pyroptosis is a feasible way to stimulate the anticancer immune responses. Herein, two Pt-II complexes (Pt1 and Pt2) were designed as photoactivators of the cGAS-STING pathway. In response to light irradiation, Pt1 and Pt2 could damage mitochondrial/nuclear DNA and the nuclear envelope to activate the cGAS-STING pathway, and concurrently induce pyroptosis in cancer cells, which evoked an intense anticancer immune response in vitro and in vivo. Overall, we present the first photoactivator of the cGAS-STING pathway, which may provide an innovative design strategy for anticancer immunotherapy.

Automated summary

This study presents two Pt-II complexes as photoactivators of the cGAS-STING pathway, which can activate the pathway and induce pyroptosis under light irradiation, leading to intense anticancer immune responses.