Janus γ-Fe2O3/SiO2-based nanotheranostics for dual-modal imaging and enhanced synergistic cancer starvation/chemodynamic therapy

Abstract

Multimodal cancer synergistic therapy exhibited remarkable advantages over monotherapy in producing an improved therapeutic efficacy. In this work, Janus-type γ-Fe₂O₃/SiO₂ nanoparticles (JFSNs) are conjugated with glucose oxidase (GOx) for synergistic cancer starvation/chemodynamic therapy. The γ-Fe₂O₃ hemisphere of JFSNs can perform photoacoustic/T₂ magnetic resonance dual-modal imaging of tumors. GOx on the surface of JFSNs catalyzes the decomposition of glucose and produces H₂O₂ for cancer starvation therapy. Subsequently, the γ-Fe₂O₃ hemisphere catalyzes the disproportionation of H₂O₂ to generate highly reactive hydroxyl radicals in an acidic tumor microenvironment. The close distance between GOx and JFSNs ensures adequate contact between the γ-Fe₂O₃ hemisphere and its substrate H₂O₂, thus enhancing the catalytic efficiency. This synergy of glucose depletion, biotoxic H₂O₂ and hydroxyl radicals significantly suppresses 4T1 mammary tumor growth with minimal adverse effects.