Small-molecule prodrug nanoassembly technology with a unique advantage in off-target toxicity reduction has been widely used for antitumor drug delivery. However, prodrug activation remains a rate-limiting step for exerting therapeutic actions, which requires to quickly reach the minimum valid concentrations of free drugs. Fortunately, we find that a natural compound (BL-193) selectively improves the chemotherapy sensitivity of breast cancer cells to podophyllotoxin (PPT) at ineffective dose concentrations. Based on this, we propose to combine prodrug nanoassembly with chemotherapy sensitization to fully unleash the chemotherapeutic potential of PPT. Specifically, a redox-sensitive prodrug (PSSF) of PPT is synthesized by coupling 9-fluorenyl-methanol (Fmoc-OH) with PPT linked via disulfide bond. Intriguingly, PSSF with a π-conjugated structure readily co-assembles with BL-193 into stable nanoassembly. Significantly, BL-193 serves as an excellent chemosensitizer that creates an ultra-low-dose chemotherapeutic window for PPT. Moreover, prodrug design and precise hybrid nanoassembly well manage off-target toxicity. As expected, such a BL-193-empowered prodrug nanoassembly elicits potent antitumor responses. This study offers a novel paradigm to magnify chemotherapy efficacy-toxicity benefits.
Intracellular bacteria can multiply inside host cells and manipulate their biology, and the efficacy of traditional antibiotic drug therapy for intracellular bacteria is limited by inadequate drug accumulation. Fighting against these stealthy bacteria has been a long-standing challenge. Here, a system of stimuli-responsive lactoferrin (Lf) nanoparticles is prepared using protein self-assembly technology to deliver broad-spectrum antibiotic rifampicin (Rif) (Rif@Lf NPs) for enhanced infection therapy through targeted elimination of intracellular bacteria. Compared to Rif@BSA NPs, the Rif@Lf NPs can specifically target macrophages infected by bacteria, thus increasing the accumulation of Rif within macrophages. Subsequently, Rif@Lf NPs with positive surface charge further displayed targeted adherence to the bacteria within macrophages and released Rif rapidly in a redox-responsive manner. Combined with the antibacterial activities of Lf and Rif, the Rif@Lf NPs showed broad-spectrum antibiotic abilities to intracellular bacteria and biofilms. As a result, the Rif@Lf NPs with high safety exhibited excellent therapeutic efficacy in the disease models of subcutaneous infection, sepsis, and bacterial keratitis. Taken together, the antibiotic-loaded Lf nanoparticles present a promising platform to combat pathogen infections through targeted elimination of intracellular bacteria.

