Extracellular matrix-degradable polymer nanostimulants elicit potent immune responses in orthotopic pancreatic cancer via sono-activatable dual-drug synergism

Pancreatic Cancer is a highly aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis due to its complex tumor microenvironment (TME), which includes a dense extracellular matrix (ECM) and immunosuppressive pathways. Nanomedicine capable of achieving profound tumor penetration and modulating the tumor immune microenvironment is urgently needed to enhance the efficacy of Cancer therapy. Herein, we introduce ECM-degradable semiconducting polymer nanostimulants (SPNs) as a novel nanostimulant for deep tumor penetration and multifaceted remodeling of the tumor microenvironment. The SPNs were constructed by loading two immune drugs: Toll-like Receptor 7/8 agonist (R848) and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase inhibitor (NLG919), onto singlet oxygen (¹O₂)-responsive SPNs, and modifying their surface with hyaluronidase (HAase). Upon accumulation at orthotopic pancreatic tumor sites, HAase-mediated degradation of the ECM significantly enhances the penetration of nanomedicine into the tumor and facilitates the infiltration of immune cells. Upon sono-activation, the SPNs produce ¹O₂, which is not only used for sonodynamic therapy of deep-seated pancreatic tumors and, but also induces immunogenic cell death (ICD) in tumor cells. Simultaneously, the generated ¹O₂ can be cleaved by ¹O₂-responsive fragments, disrupting the nanoparticle structure and enabling controlled and precise release of the two immune drugs at the tumor site, thus minimizing off-target effects. Through such a multifaceted remodeling mechanism, SPN-based treatment triggers a potent antitumor immunological response. Consequently, the growth of orthotopic pancreatic tumors in mouse models is nearly inhibited, and tumor metastases are effectively suppressed. This study presents an ECM-degradable semiconducting polymer nanostimulant for multifaceted remodeling of the tumor microenvironment, enabling effective and precise immunotherapy of deep-seated orthotopic tumors.

Immunotherapy; Orthotopic pancreatic cancer; Polymer nanoparticles; Sonodynamic therapy; Tumor microenvironment.