Synthesis of Iron Nanometallic Glasses and Their Application in Cancer Therapy by a Localized Fenton Reaction

Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2016 Feb 5;55(6):2101-6. doi: 10.1002/anie.201510031. Epub 2016 Jan 6.

Abstract

Metallic glasses and cancer theranostics are emerging fields that do not seem to be related to each other. Herein, we report the facile synthesis of amorphous iron nanoparticles (AFeNPs) and their superior physicochemical properties compared to their crystalline counterpart, iron nanocrystals (FeNCs). The AFeNPs can be used for cancer theranostics by inducing a Fenton reaction in the tumor by taking advantage of the mild acidity and the overproduced H2 O2 in a tumor microenvironment: Ionization of the AFeNPs enables on-demand ferrous ion release in the tumor, and subsequent H2 O2 disproportionation leads to efficient (.)OH generation. The endogenous stimuli-responsive (.)OH generation in the presence AFeNPs enables a highly specific cancer therapy without the need for external energy input.

Keywords: Fenton reaction; antitumor agents; cancer; iron nanoparticles; magnetic resonance imaging.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Female
  • Glass / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / chemistry*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Iron / chemistry*
  • Iron Compounds / chemistry*
  • Iron Compounds / metabolism
  • Iron Compounds / therapeutic use*
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / drug therapy*
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / pathology
  • Mice
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Nanostructures / therapeutic use*
  • Particle Size
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Surface Properties
  • Temperature
  • Tumor Microenvironment

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Fenton's reagent
  • Iron Compounds
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Iron