Yong Yao
Guifei Huo
Ruibo Zhao3
94% of researchers rate our articles as excellent or good
Learn more about the work of our research integrity team to safeguard the quality of each article we publish.
Find out more
- 1School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nantong University, Nantong, China
- 2Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- 3Department of Materials, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
Editorial on the Research Topic
Supramolecular cancer therapeutic biomaterials-volume II
Supramolecular cancer therapeutic biomaterials are a promising material for cancer treatment (Lv et al., 2022; Zhang H. et al., 2022; Goor et al., 2017). These biomaterials are designed and prepared based on supramolecular chemistry principles (Zhang X. et al., 2022; Chen et al., 2023). Through intermolecular non-covalent forces, they form assemblies with specific properties and complex structures (Klawa et al., 2024; Wang J. et al., 2022). These materials have several advantages in the process of cancer treatment. First, they can be precisely designed to specifically target cancer cells and reduce damage to healthy tissues (Tang et al., 2024; Webber et al., 2016; Wang et al., 2022b). By combining targeting motifs or using stimulus-responsive elements, they can be selectively enriched at the tumor site (Zhang et al., 2023; Hazarika and Singh, 2023; Brito et al., 2021.).
Supramolecular cancer therapeutic biomaterials can also be designed to load and release anticancer drugs in a controllable manner (Mann et al., 2018; Wang et al., 2022c). This enables continuous drug delivery, improves therapeutic effects, and minimizes toxic side effects at the same time (Yang et al., 2022; Wu et al., 2018). In addition, some of these biomaterials can be triggered by external stimuli such as light, heat, or magnetic fields, thereby enabling targeted activation of therapeutic agents (Zhou et al., 2024; Guo et al., 2020). Interestingly, supramolecular biomaterials can exhibit unique properties such as self-assembly, reversible interactions, and adjustable mechanical properties (Cui et al., 2019; Shi et al., 2022). This flexibility allows the design of multifunctional platforms that can combine different treatment methods such as chemotherapy, photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, and multimodal synergistic therapy (Wen et al., 2024; Deiser et al., 2023). In this context, we organized the Research Topic of “Supramolecular Cancer Therapeutic Biomaterials” in 2022 and published 8 important articles, showing the latest research results in this field (Yao et al., 2023). Due to the importance and popularity of this Research Topic, we now organize the second volume on this topic. Here, we briefly introduce the research work of this new topic.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has the fourth highest death rate among all cancer types worldwide. Programmed cell death (PCD) is a key biological mechanism for controlling cancer progression, tumor expansion and metastasis. In addition, the Tumor microenvironment (TME) is critical in influencing Overall survival (OS) and immune response to immunotherapy interventions. From a multi-omics perspective, the combination of PCD and TME helps predict survival and response to immunotherapy in patients with liver cancer. Liu et al. analyzed changes in the PCD and TME classifiers used to classify liver cancer patients into two subgroups (high PVD-low TME and low PVD-high TME). Next, they compared Tumor somatic mutation (TMB), immunotherapy response, and functional annotation between the two groups. Finally, Western blot (WB) was performed. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was assessed on the Human Protein Map (HPA). In the PCD-TME classifier, 23 PCD-related genes and three immune cell types were identified. Using this model, patients’ prognosis and response to treatment can be accurately predicted. The results of this study provide a new tool for the clinical management of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and help develop accurate treatment strategies for these patients.
Fluorescence imaging in the near-infrared-II region has the advantages of centimeter-scale tissue penetration and micron-scale spatial resolution, which has sparked interest in visualizing the lymphatic system. Jin et al. prepared HA@ICG nanoparticles based on the NIR-II fluorescence characteristics of ICG, which inhibited the π-π stacking between ICG molecules, had an ideal particle size and surface modification, good imaging duration and resolution, and could assess local microcirculation. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that it had excellent photostability, biosafety and visualization ability of the lymphatic system, and was expected to be used in the clinic (Zhang et al.). However, further research was needed in the validation of disease models and the imaging of deep-seated lymphatic tissues.
In a research paper, Prof. Wang and coworkers proposed a metal-organic framework (MOF)-based nano-platform for mitochondrial-targeted CO gas therapy and drug combination therapy. They designed a thiol-functionalized MOF (UiO-66-SH) and combined it with the drug resveratrol (RES) to form a UiO@FeCO@RES nano-platform. The platform is capable of triggering decomposition by ATP within tumor cells, releasing RES and generating CO gas, achieving synergistic anti-cancer effects by inhibiting ATPase and disrupting mitochondrial function. Experimental results show that the nano-platform can effectively target mitochondria and release CO gas in response to ROS, significantly enhancing the killing effect on cancer cells (Wang et al.). This strategy of combining gas therapy and drug therapy provides new ideas for cancer treatment.
In a mini-review paper, Fukuhara et al. focuses on the application progress of dynamic and stimuli-responsive supramolecular chemosensors in cancer detection, with particular attention to the external stimulus of solution-state hydrostatic pressure and its role in biological systems. Focusing on the mechanical force of hydrostatic pressure, it was found in HeLa cells that it regulates the influx of Ca2+ through the piezo ion channel, mainly affecting the intracellular pathway, and the cells have a dynamic mechanism to restore the original state of the channel. These findings suggest the importance of dynamic and stimuli-responsive supramolecular chemosensors in biological systems (Matsumoto et al.). The different pressure-responsive characteristics of peptide scaffolds can provide ideas for the development of new supramolecular imaging reagents and promote the development of future mechanobiology.
In summary, we highly value the endeavors, understandings, and outlooks of every contributor to the domain of supramolecular cancer therapeutic biomaterials. We sincerely hope that this issue can offer a perspective on applying supramolecular chemistry to address particular biomedical issues and encourage in - depth research within this field.
Author contributions
YY: Writing–original draft, Writing–review and editing. GH: Writing–review and editing. RZ: Writing–original draft, Writing–review and editing.
Funding
The author(s) declare that financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. We acknowledge financial support by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 22007052), the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (No. BK20190917).
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
Generative AI statement
The author(s) declare that no Generative AI was used in the creation of this manuscript.
Publisher’s note
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
References
Brito, A., Kassem, S., Reis, R. L., Ulijn, R. V., Pires, R. A., and Pashkuleva, I. (2021). Carbohydrate amphiphiles for supramolecular biomaterials: design, self-assembly, and applications. Chem 7, 2943–2964. doi:10.1016/j.chempr.2021.04.011
Chen, T., Wang, J., Tang, R., Huang, Y., Zhao, Q., and Yao, Y. (2023). An amphiphilic [2]biphenyl-extended pillar[6]arene: synthesis, controllable self-assembly in water and application in cell-imaging. Chin. Chem. Lett. 34, 108088. doi:10.1016/j.cclet.2022.108088
Cui, Y.-H., Deng, R., Li, Z., Du, X. S., Jia, Q., Wang, X. H., et al. (2019). Pillar[5]arene pseudo[1]rotaxane-based redox-responsive supramolecular vesicles for controlled drug release. Mater. Chem. Front. 3, 1427–1432. doi:10.1039/C9QM00237E
Deiser, S., Drexler, M., Moreno-Alcantar, G., Irl, M., Schmidt, C., Günther, T., et al. (2023). Synthesis of 177Lu-labeled, somatostatin-2 receptor-targeted metalla-assemblies: challenges in the design of supramolecular radiotherapeutics. Inorg. Chem. 62, 20710–20720. doi:10.1021/acs.inorgchem.3c02090
Goor, O. J. G. M., Hendrikse, S. I. S., Dankers, P. Y. W., and Meijer, E. M. (2017). From supramolecular polymers to multi-component biomaterials. Chem. Soc. Rev. 46, 6621–6637. doi:10.1039/C7CS00564D
Guo, S., Huang, Q., Chen, Y., Wei, J., Zheng, J., Wang, L., et al. (2020). Synthesis and bioactivity of guanidinium-functionalized pillar[5]arene as a biofilm disruptor. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 60, 618–623. doi:10.1002/anie.202013975
Hazarika, B., and Singh, V. P. (2023). Macrocyclic supramolecular biomaterials in anti-cancer therapeutics. Chin. Chem. Lett. 34, 108220. doi:10.1016/j.cclet.2023.108220
Klawa, S. J., Lee, M., Riker, K. D., Jian, T., Wang, Q., Gao, Y., et al. (2024). Uncovering supramolecular chirality codes for the design of tunable biomaterials. Nat. Commun. 15, 788. doi:10.1038/s41467-024-45019-2
Lv, Q., Ma, B., Li, W., Fu, G., Wang, X., and Xiao, Y. (2022). Nanomaterials-mediated therapeutics and diagnosis strategies for myocardial infarction. Front. Chem. 10, 943009. doi:10.3389/fchem.2022.943009
Mann, J. L., Yu, A. C., Agmon, G., and Appel, E. A. (2018). Supramolecular polymeric biomaterials. Biomater. Sci. 6, 10–37. doi:10.1039/C7BM00780A
Shi, B., Qin, P., Chai, Y., Qu, W. J., Shangguan, L., Lin, Q., et al. (2022). An organoplatinum(II) metallacycle-based supramolecular amphiphile and its application in enzyme-responsive controlled release. Inorg. Chem. 61, 8090–8095. doi:10.1021/acs.inorgchem.2c00978
Tang, R., Zhou, L., Dai, Y., Wang, Y., Cai, Y., Chen, T., et al. (2024). Polydopamine modified by pillar[5]arene in situ for targeted chemo-photothermal cancer therapy. Chem. Commun. 60, 1160–1163. doi:10.1039/D3CC04196D
Wang, J., Wang, D., Cen, M., Jing, D., Bei, J., Huang, Y., et al. (2022a). GOx-assisted synthesis of pillar[5]arene based supramolecular polymeric nanoparticles for targeted/synergistic chemo-chemodynamic cancer therapy. J. Nanobiotechnol 20, 33. doi:10.1186/s12951-021-01237-0
Wang, Y., Tang, R., Wang, D., Wang, J., Huang, Y., Ding, Y., et al. (2022c). Platinum(II)-Metallaclip-Based theranostics for cell imaging and synergetic chemotherapy–photodynamic therapy. Inorg. Chem. 62, 1786–1790. doi:10.1021/acs.inorgchem.2c01206
Wang, Y., Wang, D., Wang, J., Wang, C., Ding, Y., Wang, J., et al. (2022b). Pillar[5]arene-derived covalent organic materials with pre-encoded molecular recognition for targeted and synergistic cancer photo- and chemotherapy. Chem. Commun. 58, 1689–1692. doi:10.1039/D1CC07072J
Webber, M., Appel, E., Meijer, E., and Langer, R. (2016). Supramolecular biomaterials. Nat. Mater 15, 13–26. doi:10.1038/nmat4474
Wen, Y., Di, X., Chen, Z., Zhang, X., Pei, Z., and Pei, Y. (2024). Supramolecular palladium complexes based on guanidinium pillar[5]arene for cancer therapy. Chem. Commun. 60, 12694–12697. doi:10.1039/D4CC04312J
Wu, J., Tian, J., Rui, L., and Zhang, W. (2018). Enhancing the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) via water-soluble pillar[5]arene-based supramolecular complexes. Chem. Commun. 54, 7629–7632. doi:10.1039/C8CC04275F
Yang, M., Yang, K., Gao, B., Wang, P., Li, T., Zheng, Y., et al. (2022). A supramolecular nano-delivery system based on AIE PARP inhibitor prodrug and glycosylated pillar[5]arene for drug-resistance therapy. Chem. Commun. 58, 11147–11150. doi:10.1039/D2CC04238J
Yao, Y., Li, Z., and Zhao, R. (2023). Editorial: supramolecular cancer therapeutic biomaterials. Front. Chem. 11, 1162103. doi:10.3389/fchem.2023.1162103
Zhang, H., Zhu, J., Fang, T., Li, M., Chen, G., and Chen, Q. (2022a). Supramolecular biomaterials for enhanced cancer immunotherapy. J. Mater. Chem. B 10, 7183–7193. doi:10.1039/D2TB00048B
Zhang, X., Qi, S., Liu, D., Du, J., and Jin, J. (2022b). PSMA-targeted supramolecular nanoparticles prepared from cucurbit[8]uril-based ternary host–guest recognition for prostate cancer therapy. Front. Chem. 10, 847523. doi:10.3389/fchem.2022.847523
Zhang, Y., Wang, Y., Chen, T., Han, Y., Yan, C., Wang, J., et al. (2023). Pillar[5]arene based water-soluble [3]pseudorotaxane with enhanced fluorescence emission for cell imaging and both type I and II photodynamic cancer therapy. Chem. Commun. 59, 8266–8269. doi:10.1039/D3CC01929B
Keywords: supramolecular chemistry, metal-organic framework, dynamic interactions, biomaterials, cell imaging
Citation: Yao Y, Huo G and Zhao R (2025) Editorial: Supramolecular cancer therapeutic biomaterials-volume II. Front. Chem. 13:1574334. doi: 10.3389/fchem.2025.1574334
Received: 10 February 2025; Accepted: 17 February 2025;
Published: 05 March 2025.
Edited and reviewed by:
Tony D. James, University of Bath, United KingdomCopyright © 2025 Yao, Huo and Zhao. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Yong Yao, eWFveW9uZzE5ODZAbnR1LmVkdS5jbg==