A dual-responsive "Yin-Yang" photothermal delivery system to accelerate Parthenolide anti-tumor efficacy

Flexocatalysis Enhances Tumor Photodynamic Therapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is long-standing suffered from elevated tumor interstitial fluid pressure (TIFP) and prevalent hypoxic microenvironment within the solid malignancies. Herein, sound-activated flexocatalysis is developed to overcome the dilemma of PDT through both enhancing tumor penetration of photosensitizers by reducing TIFP and establishing an oxygen-rich microenvironment. In detail, a Schottky junction is constructed by flexocatalyst MoSe2 nanoflowers and Pt. Subsequently, the Schottky junction is loaded with the photosensitizer indocyanine green (ICG) and encapsulated within tumor cytomembrane to constitute a bionic-flexocatalytic nanomedicine (MPI@M). After targeting the tumor, MPI@M orchestrates flexocatalytic water splitting in tumor interstitial fluid under acoustic stimulation to lower TIFP, which boosted the tumor penetration of ICG. Concurrently, the oxygen released from the flexocatalytic water splitting overcomes the limitation of hypoxia against PDT. Furthermore, superfluous singlet oxygen generated by PDT can induce mitochondrial dysfunction for further tumor cell apoptosis. After 60 min of flexocatalysis, both the 30% decrease of TIFP and the relieved tumor hypoxia are observed, significantly promoting the therapeutic effect of PDT. Consequently, MoSe2/Pt junction nanoflowers, with the excellent flexocatalytic performance, hold significant potential for future applications in biocatalytic cancer therapies.

Natural MOF-Like Photocatalytic Nanozymes Alleviate Tumor Pressure for Enhanced Nanodrug Penetration

In oncological nanomedicine, overcoming the dual-phase high interstitial pressure in the tumor microenvironment is pivotal for enhancing the penetration and efficacy of nanotherapeutics. The elevated tumor interstitial solid pressure (TISP) is largely attributed to the overaccumulation of collagen in the extracellular matrix, while the increased tumor interstitial fluid pressure (TIFP) stems from the accumulation of fluid due to the aberrant vascular architecture. In this context, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with catalytic efficiency have shown potential in degrading tumor interstitial components, thereby reducing interstitial pressure. However, the potential biotoxicity of the organic components of MOFs limits their clinical translation. To circumvent this, a MOF-like photocatalytic nanozyme, RPC@M, using naturally derived cobalt phytate (CoPA) and resveratrol (Res) is developed. This nanozyme not only facilitates the decomposition of water in the tumor interstitium under photoactivation to reduce TIFP, but also generates an abundance of reactive oxygen species through its peroxidase-like activity to exert cytotoxic effects on tumor cells. Moreover, Res contributes to the reduction of collagen deposition, thereby lowering TISP. The concurrent diminution of both TISP and TIFP by RPC@M leads to enhanced tumor penetration and potent antitumor activity, presenting an innovative approach in constructing tumor therapeutic nanozymes from natural products.

Nanomedicine alleviates doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity and enhances chemotherapy synergistic chemodynamic therapy

Doxorubicin (DOX) is widely used in clinic as a broad-spectrum chemotherapy drug, which can enhance the efficacy of chemodynamic therapy (CDT) by interfering tumor-related metabolize to increase H2O2 content. However, DOX can induce serious cardiomyopathy (DIC) due to its oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes. Eliminating oxidative stress would create a significant opportunity for the clinical application of DOX combined with CDT. To address this issue, we introduced sodium ascorbate (AscNa), the main reason is that AscNa can be catalyzed to produce H2O2 by the abundant Fe3+ in the tumor site, thereby enhancing CDT. While the content of Fe3+ in heart tissue is relatively low, so the oxidation of AscNa had tumor specificity. Meanwhile, due to its inherent reducing properties, AscNa could also eliminate the oxidative stress generated by DOX, preventing cardiotoxicity. Due to the differences between myocardial tissue and tumor microenvironment, a novel nanomedicine was designed. MoS2 was employed as a carrier and CDT catalyst, loaded with DOX and AscNa, coating with homologous tumor cell membrane to construct an acid-responsive nanomedicine MoS2-DOX/AscNa@M (MDA@M). In tumor cells, AscNa enhances the synergistic therapy of DOX and MoS2. In cardiomyocytes, AscNa could effectively reduce the cardiomyopathy induced by DOX. Overall, this study enhanced the clinical potential of chemotherapy synergistic CDT.

Advancing piezoelectric 2D nanomaterials for applications in drug delivery systems and therapeutic approaches

Precision drug delivery and multimodal synergistic therapy are crucial in treating diverse ailments, such as cancer, tissue damage, and degenerative diseases. Electrodes that emit electric pulses have proven effective in enhancing molecule release and permeability in drug delivery systems. Moreover, the physiological electrical microenvironment plays a vital role in regulating biological functions and triggering action potentials in neural and muscular tissues. Due to their unique noncentrosymmetric structures, many 2D materials exhibit outstanding piezoelectric performance, generating positive and negative charges under mechanical forces. This ability facilitates precise drug targeting and ensures high stimulus responsiveness, thereby controlling cellular destinies. Additionally, the abundant active sites within piezoelectric 2D materials facilitate efficient catalysis through piezochemical coupling, offering multimodal synergistic therapeutic strategies. However, the full potential of piezoelectric 2D nanomaterials in drug delivery system design remains underexplored due to research gaps. In this context, the current applications of piezoelectric 2D materials in disease management are summarized in this review, and the development of drug delivery systems influenced by these materials is forecast.