Published
Jul 16, 2026 at 07:22 PM EDTupdated
Jul 16, 2026 at 07:23 PM EDT
By Maria Azzurra Volpe
Reporter
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
Researchers have developed a new nanoparticle-based strategy that could advance a promising cancer treatment approach by using tumors’ own copper supply to trigger cancer cell death.
The study, led by researchers at Guizhou Medical University and published in Biomedical Analysis, focuses on cuproptosis, a form of cell death that occurs when copper disrupts cancer cell survival mechanisms.
Cuproptosis has previously attracted interest as a possible cancer treatment approach, but many previous strategies have relied on adding external copper—raising concerns about toxicity to healthy tissues.
The new system is designed to avoid that problem by delivering a copper-binding agent directly to cancer cells and taking advantage of the copper already present inside tumors.
To create the system, researchers developed biodegradable nanoparticles made from PLGA-PEG, a material known for its safety and ability to break down in the body. They modified the surface of the nanoparticles with iRGD, a tumor-penetrating peptide designed to help guide the particles toward cancer cells.
The nanoparticles were loaded with TPEN, short for N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine, a compound that binds to metal ions such as copper.
A 3D render illustrates targeted cancer cells treatment. | Getty Images
The resulting formulation, called TPEN@1%-iPPN, was designed to deliver TPEN specifically into tumor cells. Laboratory testing showed that the nanoparticles were approximately 80 nanometers in size and remained stable under conditions designed to mimic the bloodstream. The particles also released their TPEN cargo gradually over 72 hours, allowing for sustained exposure inside the tumor environment.
The researchers then tested whether the iRGD coating improved the nanoparticles’ ability to reach cancer cells.
In experiments using 4T1 breast cancer cells, the targeted nanoparticles were taken up by cancer cells at much higher levels than nanoparticles without the targeting feature. Researchers found that a 1% modification with iRGD provided the best balance between cancer-cell targeting and nanoparticle stability.
The team also examined whether the targeted nanoparticles could damage cancer cells while limiting effects on normal cells.
The targeted nanoparticles showed stronger toxicity against 4T1 breast cancer cells compared with the non-targeted version. At the same time, they caused significantly less damage to normal human endothelial cells than free, untargeted TPEN.
According to Dr. Ying Chen, corresponding author of the study, this strategy of mobilizing endogenous copper offers a promising path to enhance selectivity and reduce the systemic side effects often seen with metal-based cancer therapies.
“We have provided a solid proof-of-concept at the cellular level, which we hope will inspire further research into cuproptosis-based nanomedicine,” she said.
The researchers then tested whether the iRGD coating improved the nanoparticles’ ability to reach cancer cells.
In experiments using 4T1 breast cancer cells, the targeted nanoparticles were taken up by cancer cells at much higher levels than nanoparticles without the targeting feature. Researchers found that a 1% modification with iRGD provided the best balance between cancer-cell targeting and nanoparticle stability.
The team also examined whether the targeted nanoparticles could damage cancer cells while limiting effects on normal cells.
The targeted nanoparticles showed stronger toxicity against 4T1 breast cancer cells compared with the non-targeted version. At the same time, they caused significantly less damage to normal human endothelial cells than free, untargeted TPEN.
According to Dr. Ying Chen, corresponding author of the study, this strategy of mobilizing endogenous copper offers a promising path to enhance selectivity and reduce the systemic side effects often seen with metal-based cancer therapies.
“We have provided a solid proof-of-concept at the cellular level, which we hope will inspire further research into cuproptosis-based nanomedicine,” she said.
Although the findings provide a potential new direction for cancer nanomedicine, experts say significant challenges remain before the approach could become a treatment option for patients.
According to Dr. Harshad Kulkarni, chief medical advisor for BAMF Health, this approach is scientifically promising.
“This is a scientifically promising approach because it attempts to exploit a metabolic vulnerability already present in many cancer cells,” he told Newsweek.
However, he also noted that the field is still in its early stages, and researchers will need to prove that copper-related treatments can be controlled safely, determine which cancers are most likely to respond, and identify biomarkers that show whether the treatment is working as intended.
“The central challenge will be achieving tumor selectivity. Copper is essential for normal cellular function, so altering copper concentrations throughout the body could produce significant toxicity.”
He added that future studies will need to examine potential side effects, including effects on major organs, and determine whether cancer cells can adapt by altering how they handle copper.
The approach could eventually have applications beyond breast cancer, but its success may depend on the specific biological characteristics of each tumor rather than the location where the cancer develops.
Further research will be needed to determine whether this laboratory approach can eventually lead to safe and effective therapies for patients.
According to Dr. Harshad Kulkarni, chief medical advisor for BAMF Health, this approach is scientifically promising.
“This is a scientifically promising approach because it attempts to exploit a metabolic vulnerability already present in many cancer cells,” he told Newsweek.
However, he also noted that the field is still in its early stages, and researchers will need to prove that copper-related treatments can be controlled safely, determine which cancers are most likely to respond, and identify biomarkers that show whether the treatment is working as intended.
“The central challenge will be achieving tumor selectivity. Copper is essential for normal cellular function, so altering copper concentrations throughout the body could produce significant toxicity.”
He added that future studies will need to examine potential side effects, including effects on major organs, and determine whether cancer cells can adapt by altering how they handle copper.
The approach could eventually have applications beyond breast cancer, but its success may depend on the specific biological characteristics of each tumor rather than the location where the cancer develops.
Further research will be needed to determine whether this laboratory approach can eventually lead to safe and effective therapies for patients.
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