Intravesical pressure-driven piezoelectric nanoneedles with optimized morphology for enhanced bladder cancer therapy via tunneling nanotubes-mediated intercellular delivery
Journal
Nano Energy
Journal Volume
149
Start Page
111716
ISSN
22112855
Date Issued
2026-03
Author(s)
Abstract
Bladder cancer poses a critical global health burden with high mortality and recurrence rates, where intravesical chemotherapy remains limited by poor drug penetration and rapid clearance. To overcome these challenges, we developed a needle-like piezoelectric nanosystem that consists of morphology-optimized lanthanum-doped barium titanate (BTO-CPTPEG) with enhanced cellular internalization and tumor tissue permeability. Under rhythmic intravesical pressure fluctuations, it is effectively converted into a mechanical force output as an alternative to ultrasound, concurrently generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) via piezoelectric catalysis and enabling controlled release of camptothecin (CPT). Furthermore, we discovered that the piezoelectric nanoneedle activates tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) formation among cancer cells, facilitating intercellular nanodrug transport and promoting a potent bystander killing effect in poorly accessible tumor regions. This work presents a self-driven and intelligent therapeutic nanoplatform that effectively leverages organ-specific biomechanical forces for precision nanomedicine, offering a promising strategy against bladder cancer.
Subjects
Intercellular Delivery
Piezoelectric Nanoneedles
Self-Driven
Tunneling Nanotubes
Publisher
Elsevier Ltd
Type
journal article