X-ray-facilitated redox cycling of nanozyme possessing peroxidase-mimicking activity for reactive oxygen species-enhanced cancer therapy

Abstract

Nanomaterials with shifting or mixed redox states is one of the most common studied nanozyme with peroxidase-like activity for chemodynamic therapy (CDT), which can decompose hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) of tumor microenvironment into highly toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) by a nano-catalytic way. However, most of them exhibit an insufficient catalytic efficiency due to their dependence on catalytic condition. Herein, a potential methodology is proposed to enhance their enzymatic activity by accelerating the redox cycling of these nanomaterials with shifting or mixed redox states in the presence of X-ray. In this study, the nanocomposite consisting of SnS₂ nanoplates and Fe₃O₄ quantum dots with shifting or mixed redox states (Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺) is used to explore the strategy. Under external X-ray irradiation, SnS₂ cofactor as electron donor can be triggered to transfer electrons to Fe₃O₄, which promotes the regeneration of Fe²⁺ sites on the surface of the Fe₃O₄. Consequently, the regenerated Fe²⁺ sites react with the overexpressed H₂O₂ to persistently generate ROS for enhanced tumor therapy. The designed nanocomposite displays the synergistic effects of radiotherapy and CDT. The strategy provides a new avenue for the development of artificial nanozymes with shifting or mixed redox states in precise cancer treatments based on X-ray-enhanced enzymatic efficacy.

Keywords: Nanomaterials; Nanozyme; Radiotherapy; Reactive oxygen species; Therapy.