In a study published in Nature Nanotechnology, researchers discovered that cuproptosis may serve as a new target for radiosensitization in re-irradiation.

In cancer treatment, patients who undergo secondary radiotherapy often face the dual challenge of acquired radiation resistance in tumor cells and weakened physical condition, making re-irradiation a significant clinical challenge. This is especially true for advanced cancer patients and elderly individuals who have a pressing need for radiosensitizing drugs during clinical radiotherapy.

Using synchrotron radiation facilities, researchers for the first time found that cuproptosis-related proteins in tumor tissues were highly expressed under X-ray irradiation, and revealed a novel cell death mechanism induced by copper ions—cuproptosis which could serve as a new target for radiosensitization.

Based on this, researchers designed and synthesized a copper-containing polyoxometalate, named PWCu, as a targeted radiosensitizer for re-irradiation.

The PWCu nanocapsules can enter tumor cells, release copper ions during radiotherapy to trigger cuproptosis, overcoming acquired radiation resistance in tumors. In addition, they can activate an abscopal effect, inducing immunogenic cell death and stimulating an antitumor immune response.

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