Cell death mediated by nanotechnology via the cuproptosis pathway: A novel horizon for cancer therapy

Cuproptosis, the current form of regulated cell death characterized by copper overload, oligomerization of lipoacylated proteins, and loss of Fe-S cluster proteins, has been proposed to function closely with human diseases, including cancer. Since its first identification in 2022, many strategies have been developed to induce cuproptosis for cancer therapy, such as small-molecule drugs and nanomaterials. Although many reviews related to cuproptosis have been reported, they remain at a basic mechanism level, and a summary covering recent progress in the field of nanotechnologies in cuproptosis-based cancer therapy has not yet been presented. Therefore, it is time to fill the gap and shed light on future directions for the application of this promising tool to fight against cancer. In this minireview, we first expounded the mechanism of action of cuproptosis and emphasized the feasibility of triggering cuproptosis for cancer therapy. The recent progress of cancer treatments based on nanoparticle-induced cuproptosis was then described. Finally, the challenges and future development directions of the emerging field of cuproptosis are also discussed.