A Golgi‐Targeted Platinum Complex Plays a Dual Role in Autophagy Regulation for Highly Efficient Cancer Therapy

Abstract Regulating autophagy to control the homeostatic recycling process of cancer cells is a promising anticancer strategy. Golgi apparatus is a substrate of autophagy but the Golgi‐autophagy (Golgiphagy) mediated antitumor pathway is rarely reported. Herein, we have developed a novel Golgi‐targeted platinum (II) complex Pt3 , which is ca. 20 times more cytotoxic to lung carcinoma than cisplatin and can completely eliminate tumors after intratumoral administration in vivo. Its nano‐encapsulated system for tail vein administration also features a good anti‐tumor effect. Mechanism studies indicate that Pt3 induces substantial Golgi stress, indicated by the fragmentation of Golgi structure, down‐regulation of Golgi proteins (GM130, GRASP65/55), loss of Golgi‐dependent transport and glycosylation. This triggers Golgiphagy but blocks the subsequent fusion of autophagosomes with lysosomes, that is a dual role in autophagy regulation, resulting in loss of proteostasis and apoptotic cell death. As far as we know, Pt3 is the first Golgi‐targeted Pt complex that can trigger Golgi stress‐mediated dual‐regulation of autophagic flux and autophagy‐apoptosis crosstalk for highly efficient cancer therapy.