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0The research paper introduces ETPNs, a novel nanoparticle system designed to treat deep-seated pancreatic tumors using X-ray preactivated photodynamic therapy. These nanoparticles utilize persistent luminescence, allowing them to emit therapeutic light internally after external X-rays are removed, which avoids the risks of continuous radiation. A key feature of the technology is its reversible "on-off" mechanism, which activates the treatment specifically in the acidic microenvironment of a tumor while remaining inactive in healthy tissue. The system further integrates elimusertib, a drug that blocks DNA repair, to synergistically amplify the cellular damage caused by light-induced reactive oxygen species. This combined approach triggers the cGAS-STING immune pathway, effectively transforming "cold" pancreatic tumors into "hot" targets for the body’s own immune system. Ultimately, the study demonstrates that ETPNs can significantly suppress tumor growth and enhance surgical precision through pH-dependent visualization in living models.
References:
Topatana W, Sun Y, Xie T, et al. X-ray preactivated reversible persistent luminescence enables photodynamic immunotherapy of deep tumors[J]. Nature Communications, 2026, 17(1): 4297.
