Black Phosphorus: Bioactive Nanomaterials with Inherent and Selective Chemotherapeutic Effects

Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2019 Jan 14;58(3):769-774. doi: 10.1002/anie.201810878. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Abstract

Black phosphorus nanosheets (BPs) are demonstrated to be highly bioactive anti-cancer agents because of their inherent and selective chemotherapeutic effects. Fast intracellular biodegradation of BPs and acute elevation of phosphate anions were observed from different types of cancer cells due to the stronger intracellular oxidative stress and accelerated energy metabolism, but normal cells are not affected. Selective biodegradation of BPs induced G2/M phase arrest and subsequent apoptosis- and autophagy-mediated cell death in cancer cells but not normal cells. The selectivity was superior to that of the traditional chemotherapeutic agent, doxorubicin (DOX). In vivo assessment confirmed the efficiency of BPs in suppressing tumor growth. This study provides insights into nanostructured bioactive anti-cancer agents and reveals a new direction for nanomedicine research.

Keywords: anti-tumor activity; bioactivity; black phosphorus; selective chemotherapy; two-dimensional materials.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cell Cycle Checkpoints / drug effects
  • Doxorubicin / therapeutic use
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Mice
  • Nanostructures / therapeutic use*
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Phosphorus / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Phosphorus
  • Doxorubicin