Biotin Receptor-Targeting PtIV Oxygen Carrying Prodrug Amphiphile for Alleviating Tumor Hypoxia Induced Immune Chemotherapy Suppression

Abstract

Platinum (Pt)-based chemotherapeutic agents, known for their potent cytotoxicity, are extensively used in clinical oncology. However, their therapeutic efficacy is severely limited by a variety of factors, particularly the hypoxic tumor microenvironment (TME), which not only impedes effective drug delivery but also triggers immune suppression, further diminishing the antitumor effects of Pt drugs. In response to these challenges, we have developed a biotin receptor (BR)-targeting oxaliplatin (OXA)-based Pt^IV prodrug, named Lipo-OPt^IV-BT, which could encapsulate hemoglobin (Hb) as an oxygen carrier, forming Pt^IV-loaded lipid nanoparticles (Hb@BTOPt^IV). The design of the Hb@BTOPt^IV aims to address the dual issues of poor drug delivery and immune suppression by effectively increasing local oxygen tension in the TME. Notably, our findings demonstrate that the cytotoxic effects of the BR-targeting Pt^IV prodrug and increased oxygen levels synergistically reverse the tumor immune microenvironment, leading to improved antitumor efficacy. We observed that Hb@BTOPt^IV significantly improved the biodistribution of the drug, enabling it to preferentially accumulate in tumor regions. Importantly, the enhanced oxygenation within the TME also plays a critical role in reshaping the immune landscape of the tumor, promoting a more favorable immune environment for effective chemotherapy. This reversal of immune suppression is evidenced by increased infiltration of cytotoxic T cells and reduced levels of regulatory T cells (Tregs) within the tumor. These findings highlight the promising potential of using BR-targeting lipid Pt^IV prodrug amphiphiles to improve drug accumulation at tumor sites and counteract immunosuppression induced by tumor hypoxia.