Innovative Breast Cancer Treatment Merges Light Therapy and Iron-Induced Cell Death

A groundbreaking study published in Nanotechnology introduces a novel dual-action approach for treating breast cancer that combines photodynamic therapy (PDT) with ferroptosis—a form of cell death driven by iron overload and lipid damage. This innovative strategy leverages engineered particles composed of red blood cell membranes, which are tailored to target cancer cells precisely. Enhanced with RGD peptides, these particles can attach specifically to breast cancer cells, delivering both light-activated drugs and iron-mediated destructive agents.

Photodynamic therapy involves activating drugs with light, generating reactive oxygen species that weaken cancer cells, while ferroptosis triggers cell death through iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation. When combined, these treatments enhance each other's effectiveness: PDT primes the cancer cells, making them more susceptible to ferroptosis. This synergy holds the potential to improve treatment efficacy while minimizing harm to healthy tissues.

The delivery system utilizes mild ultrasound to load drugs onto the biomimetic particles, maintaining their stability and functionality. This targeted delivery approach aims to overcome the limitations of traditional treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, which often cause significant side effects like immune suppression and damage to vital organs. The new method aspires to provide a safer, more precise option that can be repeated safely, ultimately enhancing patient quality of life.

Inspired by Trojan horse strategies where drugs are delivered within immune-compatible carriers, this technology employs red blood cell membranes to transport therapeutic agents directly into cancer cells. Gaofeng Liang, the lead researcher, highlights that uniting these two mechanisms could lead to more robust clinical outcomes with fewer adverse effects.

Current research is still in early laboratory stages, but the promising results suggest a significant step forward in personalized and minimally invasive cancer therapies. This approach exemplifies the ongoing shift towards targeted, biocompatible treatments in oncology, promising a future where cancer therapy is both effective and kinder to patients.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-dual-action-therapy-combines-iron.html