Dual metabolic targeting liposomes potentiate triple-negative breast cancer radiosensitivity via glucose and glutathione starvation

Abstract

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) frequently develops resistance to radiotherapy, while its metabolic reliance on glucose and glutamine presents new therapeutic targets for radiotherapy sensitization. This study developed a targeted nanoliposome (G/B-Lip-R) co-delivering glucose oxidase (GOD) and buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) to enhance radiotherapy through dual metabolic intervention. GOD catalyzes glucose oxidation to generate hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) while depleting tumor energy supplies, whereas BSO inhibits glutathione (GSH) synthesis to disrupt redox homeostasis. Their synergistic action significantly elevates intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, thereby potentiating radiosensitivity. Both in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that G/B-Lip-R effectively targets tumors and significantly improves radiotherapy outcomes. This work innovatively combines nanocarriers with dual metabolic pathway modulation, offering a novel strategy to overcome TNBC radioresistance with important clinical translation potential.