Ultrasound‐Responsive Lipid Nanosonosensitizers with Size Reduction and NO Release: Synergistic Sonodynamic‐Chemo‐Immunotherapy for Pancreatic Tumors

L Leyi Fang (State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Department of General Surgery & Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, School of Chemistry, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC)) W Wenhui Zeng Y Yili Liu (State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Road, Nanjing 210023, China) Y Yinxing Miao (State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering) C Chunmei Lu (State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Department of General Surgery & Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, School of Chemistry, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC)) Z Zhonghan Xu (State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Department of General Surgery & Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, School of Chemistry, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC)) S Sensen Zhou (MOE Key Laboratory of High-Performance Polymer Materials and Technology and Department of Polymer Science & Engineering College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering) Q Qi Xue (Department of Entomology, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station) Y Yitong Xu X Xiqun Jiang (MOE Key Laboratory of High-Performance Polymer Materials and Technology and Department of Polymer Science & Engineering College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering) J Jingjuan Xu Y Yan Zhang D Deju Ye (State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Department of General Surgery & Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, School of Chemistry, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC))

Abstract

Abstract Pancreatic cancer (PC) remains difficult to treat due to its dense extracellular matrix (ECM), immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), and deep‐seated anatomy. To address these challenges, we developed IR&ZnPc@LNP‐NO, an ultrasound (US)‐responsive lipid nanosonosensitizer that synergizes sonodynamic therapy (SDT), chemotherapy, and immunotherapy for orthotopic PC. IR&ZnPc@LNP‐NO undergoes three key US‐activated responses: 1) size reduction, 2) controlled release of irinotecan (IR) and nitric oxide (NO), and 3) generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Under low‐dose US, IR&ZnPc@LNP‐NO reduces in size (from ∼120  to ∼40 nm), enhancing tumor penetration, and releases NO to remodel the TME by normalizing vasculature and degrading ECM. This enhances nanosonosensitizers accumulation and cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) infiltration. High‐dose US irradiation triggers the generation of cytotoxic ROS, which, in combination with IR‐mediated chemotherapy, induces immunogenic cell death (ICD) and enhances antitumor immunity. Additionally, combining IR&ZnPc@LNP‐NO with PD‐L1 antibody (αPD‐L1) immunotherapy significantly prolongs survival in orthotopic PC models. The cascade strategy—size reduction, TME remodeling, and multimodal therapy—effectively overcomes stromal and immunosuppressive barriers, offering a robust platform for treating deep‐seated PC.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 64, Issue 29
Published July 14, 2025
ISSN 1433-7851
Publisher Wiley

Journal Info

Angewandte Chemie International Edition

Wiley

ISSN: 1433-7851 Physical Sciences

Authors (13)

L

Leyi Fang

State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Department of General Surgery & Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, School of Chemistry, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC)

W

Wenhui Zeng

Y

Yili Liu

State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Road, Nanjing 210023, China

Y

Yinxing Miao

State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

C

Chunmei Lu

State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Department of General Surgery & Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, School of Chemistry, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC)

Z

Zhonghan Xu

State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Department of General Surgery & Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, School of Chemistry, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC)

S

Sensen Zhou

MOE Key Laboratory of High-Performance Polymer Materials and Technology and Department of Polymer Science & Engineering College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering

Q

Qi Xue

Department of Entomology, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station

Y

Yitong Xu

X

Xiqun Jiang

MOE Key Laboratory of High-Performance Polymer Materials and Technology and Department of Polymer Science & Engineering College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering

J

Jingjuan Xu

Y

Yan Zhang

D

Deju Ye

State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Department of General Surgery & Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, School of Chemistry, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC)