Iron-Based Nanovehicle Delivering Fin56 for Hyperthermia-Boosted Ferroptosis Therapy Against Osteosarcoma

Abstract

Background: Although systemic chemotherapy is a standard approach for osteosarcoma (OS) treatment, its efficacy is limited by the inherent or acquired resistance to apoptosis of tumor cells. Ferroptosis is considered as an effective strategy capable of stimulating alternative pathways of cancer cell demise. The purpose of this study is to develop a novel strategy boosting ferroptotic cascade for synergistic cancer therapy. Methods and Results: A novel nanovehicle composed of arginine-glycine-aspartate (RGD) modified mesoporous silica-coated iron oxide loading Fin56 was rationally prepared (FSR-Fin56). With the RGD-mediated targeting affinity, FSR-Fin56 could achieve selective accumulation and accurate delivery of cargos into cancer cells. Upon exposure to NIR light, the nanovehicle could generate localized hyperthermia and disintegrate to liberate the therapeutic payload. The released Fin56 triggered the degradation of GPX4, while Fe3+ depleted the intracellular GSH pool, producing Fe2+ as a Fenton agent. The local rise in temperature, in conjunction with Fe2+-mediated Fenton reaction, led to a rapid and significant accumulation of ROS, culminating in LPOs and ferroptotic death. The outstanding therapeutic efficacy and safety of the nanovehicle were validated both in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion: The Fin56-loaded FSR nanovehicle could effectively disturb the redox balance in cancer cells. Coupled with NIR laser irradiation, the cooperative CDT and PTT achieved a boosted ferroptosis-inducing therapy. Taken together, this study offers a compelling strategy for cancer treatment, particularly for ferroptosis-sensitive tumors like osteosarcoma.