Tumor-selective catalytic nanomedicine by nanocatalyst delivery

TLDR

Tumor cells metabolize distinct pathways, creating a microenvironment with characteristic physiochemical conditions that can be exploited for selective therapies. The study proposes sequential catalytic nanomedicine, delivering biocompatible nanocatalysts to tumor sites to achieve efficient therapy. The nanocatalyst combines glucose oxidase and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles within dendritic silica; glucose oxidation depletes glucose and generates H₂O₂, which Fe₃O₄ converts via Fenton chemistry in mildly acidic tumor microenvironments to produce hydroxyl radicals that induce tumor cell apoptosis. The work demonstrates a proof‑of‑concept catalytic nanomedicine that simultaneously achieves tumor selectivity and therapeutic efficiency.

Abstract

Abstract Tumor cells metabolize in distinct pathways compared with most normal tissue cells. The resulting tumor microenvironment would provide characteristic physiochemical conditions for selective tumor modalities. Here we introduce a concept of sequential catalytic nanomedicine for efficient tumor therapy by designing and delivering biocompatible nanocatalysts into tumor sites. Natural glucose oxidase (GOD, enzyme catalyst) and ultrasmall Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles (inorganic nanozyme, Fenton reaction catalyst) have been integrated into the large pore-sized and biodegradable dendritic silica nanoparticles to fabricate the sequential nanocatalyst. GOD in sequential nanocatalyst could effectively deplete glucose in tumor cells, and meanwhile produce a considerable amount of H 2 O 2 for subsequent Fenton-like reaction catalyzed by Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles in response to mild acidic tumor microenvironment. Highly toxic hydroxyl radicals are generated through these sequential catalytic reactions to trigger the apoptosis and death of tumor cells. The current work manifests a proof of concept of catalytic nanomedicine by approaching selectivity and efficiency concurrently for tumor therapeutics.