The cGAS-STING axis is a promising therapeutic target against cancer. However, most activators require STING signaling in the host, especially within antigen-presenting cells, which are rare in a cold tumor microenvironment. The cGAS-STING cascade is also present within cancer cells but with suppressed activity. Such a paradoxical situation may account for the clinical failures. Herein, we develop a trinity STING-activating nanoparticle (CMTP) coordinated with cGAMP, Mn 3+ , and porphyrin to awaken autologous STING signaling in cancer cells. CMTP disintegrates into Mn 2+ and TCPP upon elevated glutathione in cancer cells, where TCPP triggers mitochondrial DNA leakage, enhancing cGAS enzymatic activity in coordination with Mn 2+ , while concurrent cGAMP release from framework synergizes to amply STING activity. Consequently, CMTP exploits cancer cells as reservoirs for cGAS-STING signaling to promote DC maturation and T cell priming. A single administration of CMTP demonstrates robust efficacy in both hot MC38 and cold 4 T1 murine tumors. Genetic knockout studies confirm that STING in cancer cells, rather than in the host, is critical for antitumor performance. The feasibility of immune modulation is further validated in resected human patient tissues. This work presents a potent STING-activating nanomedicine based on coordination chemistry and underscores the potential of harnessing cancer cells' autologous cGAS-STING machinery in immunotherapy.
The susceptibility of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells to Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) infection pose significant challenges to CRC treatment and prevention. This study addresses these challenges by mobilizing cGAS/STING axis activation and F. nucleatum-specific targeting, thereby achieving a multimodal treatment strategy for reversing the immunosuppressive microenvironment (ITM) and achieving targeted anti-F. nucleatum therapy. Specifically, a hybrid nanoplatform CuPpIX@HM was engineered using Escherichia coli and tumor cell membranes encapsulating ultrasound (US) stimulation-responsive copper protoporphyrin IX (CuPpIX). This design enables the precise accumulation of the nanoplatform at tumor sites following oral administration. Notably, upon US activation, CuPpIX generates a high level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), selectively eradicating F. nucleatum and exerting potent antitumor effects. Meanwhile, bacterial membrane components activate the cGAS/STING signaling pathway, effectively reversing the ITM, enhancing systemic antitumor immunity. Importantly, CuPpIX@HM exerts minimal disruption to healthy intestinal microbiota and remarkably increases the level of probiotics. In both orthotopic and liver metastasis, CRC models demonstrated that this strategy could significantly inhibit tumor growth and metastasis. Collectively, our study presents a highly targeted multimodal nanotherapy that holds strong potential to improve CRC treatment outcomes through the precision modulation of F. nucleatum and immune activation.