A research team at the Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, developed biodegradable cesium-based nanosalts that activate anti-tumor immunity through a novel “Trojan horse” strategy. These nanosalts enter tumor cells via endocytosis, disrupting ion homeostasis and causing osmotic pressure surges that trigger pyroptosis, a form of inflammatory cell death. Additionally, cesium ions inhibit sodium/glucose cotransporters, impairing glucose uptake and tumor metabolism. The incorporation of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) further amplifies pyroptosis and induces immunogenic ferroptosis, creating a synergistic therapeutic effect that releases damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) to stimulate a robust systemic immune response against tumors.

This innovative nanosalt system, enhanced by liposome encapsulation for controlled ion release, was validated through in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrating significant inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis. By promoting dendritic cell maturation and T cell proliferation, the nanosalts effectively reprogram the tumor microenvironment to overcome immunosuppression. This work not only expands the library of nanosalts with ion-interference therapeutic functions but also establishes a promising new platform for efficient cancer immunotherapy, as detailed in the open-access article published in CCS Chemistry.