Cited by 6Nanoparticle-Based Drug DeliveryAngiogenesis and VEGF in CancerRadiation Therapy and Dosimetry

Sunitinib lipid nanoparticles remodel tumor vasculature to synergize with two-stage radiotherapy for enhanced radiosensitivity in breast Cancer

Li, Peirong, Dong, Zhefan, Jiang, Qi, Yu, Caini, Liu, Yupeng, Yuan, Renxiang, Qiu, Yihe, Meng, Tingting +2 more·2026·Journal of Controlled Release

Abstract

Radiotherapy (RT) is a standard treatment for breast cancer, the most common malignancy in women. However, its efficacy is limited in 20-30 % of patients due to acquired resistance, primarily caused by tumor hypoxia resulting from abnormal vasculature in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Vascular normalization strategies aim to stabilize tumor vasculature and alleviate hypoxia. Although preclinical studies indicate survival benefits from vascular normalization,their clinical translation remains limited by spatiotemporal constraints and a narrow therapeutic window where excessive modulation can induce detrimental effects. Here, we engineered microenvironment-responsive PEGylated lipid nanoparticles (PL) that encapsulate varying doses of sunitinib (Sun@PL) to achieve sustained release, selecting the optimal dose for dose-controlled vascular normalization within tumor tissue. When synergized with "two-stage RT", this strategy effectively enhanced tumor oxygenation and radiosensitization. Initial RT softened the extracellular matrix (ECM), alleviated vascular compression, and amplified Sun@PL-driven normalization, significantly improving tumor oxygenation. The subsequent RT, conducted in the improved oxygenated microenvironment, effectively enhanced anti-tumor efficacy. Our findings emphasize the critical role of dosage and controlled-release strategies in vascular normalization and highlight the potential of synergizing Sun@PL with RT as a strategy to overcome radioresistance in breast cancer and enhance therapeutic efficacy.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.jconrel.2025.114406

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Authors
Li, P., Dong, Z., Jiang, Q., Yu, C., Liu, Y., Yuan, R., Qiu, Y., Meng, T., Hu, F., & Yuan, H.
Affiliations
  • Zhejiang University (CN)
  • Westlake University (CN)
Corresponding author
Yuan, Hong
Venue
Journal of Controlled Release
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2026-01
Volume
389
Pages
114406
ISSN
0168-3659 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4416438814
Cited by
6
References
71
Citations by year
2026: 6
FWCI
1.25
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Controlled Release (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Zhejiang Province Natural Science Foundation (LZ22H060001)
  • Zhejiang University
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (82473857)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Biomaterials › Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Angiogenesis and VEGF in Cancer
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine › Radiation Therapy and Dosimetry
Keywords
sunitinib, lipid nanoparticles, vascular normalization, breast cancer, radiosensitization, tumor hypoxia, tumor microenvironment, extracellular matrix, sustained drug release, radioresistance (biology), tumor oxygenation
MeSH terms
Sunitinib, Animals, Antineoplastic Agents, Breast Neoplasms, Female, Humans, Lipids, Liposomes, Mice, Inbred BALB C, Mice, Nude, Radiation Tolerance, Radiation-Sensitizing Agents, Cell Line, Tumor, Mice, Nanoparticles, Tumor Microenvironment

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