Chem-inspired hollow ceria nanozymes with lysosome-targeting for tumor synergistic phototherapy

J Mater Chem B. 2021 Mar 17;9(10):2515-2523. doi: 10.1039/d0tb02837a.

Abstract

The precise operation of the hypoxic tumor microenvironment presents a promising way to improve treatment efficacy, in particular in tumor synergistic phototherapy. This work reports an innovative approach to build adenosine triphosphate-modified hollow ceria nanozymes (ATP-HCNPs@Ce6) that manipulate tumor hypoxia to effectively achieve drug delivery. Hollow ceria nanoparticles (HCNPs) exhibit a controllable hollow structure through varying nitric acid concentrations in the nanocomposites. Specifically, ATP modification makes HCNPs exceptionally biocompatible and stable and acts as a regulator of HCNP enzymatic activity. In the stage of drug loading, newly prepared ATP-HCNPs@Ce6 serves as an in situ oxygen-generating agent because of its ability to simulate catalase. Therefore, ATP-HCNPs@Ce6 has adjustable enzymatic properties that act like a "switch" to selectively supply oxygen in response to high levels of hydrogen peroxide expression and the slightly acidic lysosomal environment of the tumor to enhance lysosome-targeted photodynamic therapy. Moreover, the obvious anticancer effects of ATP-HCNPs@Ce6 are demonstrated in vitro and in vivo. Overall, a simple and rapid self-assembly strategy to form and modify multifunctional HCNPs is reported, which may further propel their application in the field of precision tumor treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphate / chemistry
  • Biomimetic Materials / chemistry*
  • Catalase / metabolism*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cerium / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / metabolism
  • Lysosomes / metabolism*
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy / methods*
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Phototherapy / methods*

Substances

  • Cerium
  • ceric oxide
  • Adenosine Triphosphate
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Catalase