Bismuthene-Based Nanoplatform for Synergistic Thermogenetic CRISPR and Photothermal Cancer Therapy.

Abstract

Overcoming tumor thermotolerance within clinically safe temperature ranges remains a central limitation of photothermal therapy (PTT). Here we report a closed-loop therapeutic nanoplatform that integrates topologically enhanced photothermal conversion with thermally gated CRISPR/Cas9 regulation. Rationally engineered hexagonal bismuthene nanodiscs exhibit strong near-infrared responsiveness, enabling mild hyperthermia (∼45 °C) that activates a heat-sensitive CRISPR switch targeting CDK7. The resulting disruption of the CDK7-HSP70 stress axis lowers the thermal resistance threshold and reprograms tumor adaptation, thereby amplifying photothermal efficacy and promoting immunogenic cell death. In triple-negative breast cancer models, this gene-thermal feedback achieves >93% tumor inhibition with minimal systemic toxicity. This work establishes a genetically programmable, thermogenetic nanomaterial paradigm that links material design with gene logic for next-generation precision cancer therapy.