Researchers Develop Biomimetic Photocatalytic Nanoparticles for Mitochondria-targeted Cancer Immunotherapy

Researchers have developed novel biomimetic nanoparticles that can be activated by near‑infrared (NIR) light to precisely target and disrupt the mitochondria of cancer cells via a photocatalytic process, while simultaneously activating the body’s immune system to fight metastatic tumors. The study has been published in Science Advances, providing a promising new strategy for photocatalytic immunotherapy of cancer.

       

The interdisciplinary team, led by Professor Shengliang Li of Soochow University and Researcher Yuanfeng Chen of Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, designed a mitochondria‑localized photocatalyst of biomimetic organic semiconductor nanoparticles (Mito‑NPs). The Mito‑NPs are cloaked in a membrane derived from mitochondria, allowing them to specifically localize to the mitochondria of cancer cells.

Once inside and activated by an 808 nm NIR laser, the Mito‑NPs work through a dual mechanism that does not require oxygen. First, they act as a catalyst to disrupt the cell’s energy production by oxidizing a critical molecule called NADH—the key innovation. Second, they generate heat and reactive oxygen species. This combined attack causes severe mitochondrial damage and triggers a form of cell death that alerts the immune system.

In mouse models of bone cancer and lung metastasis, the treatment successfully eliminated primary tumors under NIR‑II fluorescence‑imaging guidance and prevented the cancer from spreading, demonstrating a powerful immune‑activating effect.

This work provides a new strategy for treating resistant and metastatic cancers by combining precise mitochondrial destruction with immune‑system activation.

Mitochondria‑localized photocatalyst of biomimetic organic semiconductor nanoparticles for NIR‑activatable photocatalytic immunotherapy. Sci. Adv. 11, eadx4850 (2025). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adx4850

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adx4850