Enhanced photo-hypoxia-activated combination therapy traced by AIE photosensitizer and targeted by hyaluronic acid: Disulphide bond interference of detoxification barrier

Biomimetic ZIF-8 Nanoparticles: A Novel Approach for Biomimetic Drug Delivery Systems

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are porous materials resulting from the coordination of metal clusters or ions with organic ligands, merging macromolecular and coordination chemistry features. Among these, zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) stands out as a widely utilized MOF known for its robust stability in aqueous environments owing to the robust interaction between its constituent zinc ions (Zn2+) and 2-methylimidazole (2-MIM). ZIF-8 readily decomposes under acidic conditions, serving as a promising candidate for pH-responsive drug delivery systems. Moreover, biomimetic materials typically possess good biocompatibility, reducing immune reactions. By mimicking natural structures or surface features within the body, they enhance the targeting of nanoparticles, prolong their circulation time, and increase their bioavailability in vivo. This review explores the latest advancements in biomimetic ZIF-8 nanoparticles for drug delivery, elucidating the primary obstacles and future prospects in utilizing ZIF-8 for drug delivery applications.

Hypoxia alleviating platinum(IV)/chlorin e6-based combination chemotherapeutic-photodynamic nanomedicine for oropharyngeal carcinoma

Hypoxia is an important pathological hallmark of the tumor microenvironment, associated with metabolic alterations, cell proliferation, aggressiveness, metastasis, and therapy resistance in cancers. Hypoxia impedes the outcome of photodynamic therapy (PDT), which is largely dependent on molecular oxygen to generate cytotoxic ¹O₂. Here, a near-infrared light activatable, oxygen-generating nanomicellar PDT-chemotherapy system (mPPCPN Ms) constituted of amphiphilic mPEG-PLA, photosensitizer Ce6, and tetravalent platinum prodrug Pt(IV)-diazide was developed for oral squamous cell carcinoma. The polymer conjugate self-assemble to nanosize (115 ± 2.35 nm) micelles, which, upon irradiation (660 nm laser), activated Ce6, and photodecomposed to produce cytotoxic Pt(II), azidyl radical, and molecular oxygen. The strategically fabricated PDT-chemotherapy produced a strong antitumor response in vitro using oral squamous cell carcinoma and in vivo in oral cancer-xenografted mouse models, revealing its significant potential in chemo-photodynamic combination therapy with the benefit of reversing hypoxia.