Advanced healthcare materials

Engineered Polymers Using Light and Thiol Chemistry to Deliver siRNA for Cancer Immunotherapy

Updated

Abstract

A dual-pathway polymeric carrier, PFCPD, effectively delivers siRNA and induces potent ferroptosis when loaded with anti-GPX4 siRNA.

  • PFCPD combines two functional cell-penetrating polymers to enhance siRNA delivery.
  • Thiol-mediated membrane penetration and photochemical internalization facilitate cytosolic transport and endosomal escape.
  • Intracellular glutathione degrades the polymer backbone, releasing siRNA and increasing oxidative stress.
  • Loading PFCPD with anti-GPX4 siRNA downregulates GPX4, triggering ferroptosis and amplifying ROS stress upon illumination.
  • The approach synergistically promotes immunogenic cell death, dendritic cell maturation, and CD8T cell-mediated antitumor immunity in tumor models.

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