Work

A novel FTO-targeting nanodrug induces disulfidptosis and ameliorates the suppressive tumor immune environment to treat uveal melanoma

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most prevalent primary ocular malignancy in adults, with high lethality and limited effective treatment options. Despite identified driver mutations in GNAQ , GNA11 , and BAP1 , therapeutic advancements have been minimal. This study highlights the pivotal role of N6-methyladenosine (m 6 A) modifications in UM pathogenesis and progression, focusing on the demethylase FTO as a therapeutic target. Elevated FTO expression in UM tissues correlates with decreased m 6 A levels, increased aggressiveness, and poor prognosis. The FTO inhibitor meclofenamic acid (MA) restored m 6 A levels, upregulated SLC7A11, and induced disulfidptosis, a unique form of cell death triggered by GSH depletion and NADPH consumption. To address MA's limitations in bioavailability and tumor targeting, we developed an MA-loaded nucleic acid nanodrug (SNAMA). SNAMA demonstrated effective tumor growth inhibition in orthotopic and metastatic UM models through GSH-responsive release and m 6 A-mediated disulfidptosis activation. Incorporating a PD-L1 aptamer into SNAMA further improved tumor targeting and immune modulation, enhancing therapeutic efficacy. This study identifies FTO as a critical target for UM therapy and introduces SNAMA-apt as a promising nanodrug. The findings offer a foundation for m 6 A-targeted approaches in UM and other malignancies, addressing bioavailability, targeting, and immune evasion challenges.

Source: Biomaterials

DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2025.123168