University Research
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Description
Light-dependent drug delivery systems (LDDSs) are fundamentally constrained by limited tissue penetration of external irradiation. Here we report a chemically powered nanoplatform (CPC-nano) that eliminates the need for external light by coupling chemiluminescence (CL) with photoswitchable donor–acceptor Stenhouse adducts (DASAs). A DASA-PEG amphiphile was engineered to undergo hydrophobic-to-hydrophilic isomerization upon optical excitation. By coencapsulating a peroxalate CL substrate (CPPO) and an aggregation-enhanced fluorescent emitter (BLSA), endogenous H2O2 is converted into sustained green CL via a chemically initiated electron-exchange luminescence (CIEEL) process. Favorable energetic matching and strong spectral overlap enable efficient CL-driven excitation of DASA, triggering micellar disassembly and rapid doxorubicin release. CPC-nano exhibits H2O2-specific activation, enhanced intracellular drug release with pronounced nuclear accumulation, and deep penetration in multicellular tumor spheroids. This work establishes a general strategy for integrating CL with photoswitchable materials, providing a self-powered, spatially confined approach to overcome light-penetration limitations in stimulus-responsive drug delivery.
Publisher name
American Chemical Society
Grant Information
N/A
Data Management
N/A
Document Type
Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) Link
https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmacrolett.6c00062
Publication Date
3-17-2026
Publication Title
ACS Macro Letters
Volume
15
Issue
3
First Page
459
Last Page
466
Recommended Citation
Xianfeng, Zhou; Yingxi, Lu; Xueluer, Mu; and Jiaojiao, Gao, "Chemiluminescence-Powered DASA Photoswitching Enables Tumor-Activated Drug Release" (2026). University Research. 59.
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/university_research/59