A cerium oxide@metal–organic framework nanoenzyme as a tandem catalyst for enhanced photodynamic therapy

Abstract

An O₂ self-evolving core–shell theranostic nanohybrid was developed by encapsulating a nanoenzyme cerium oxide (CeO_x) in a metal–organic framework (MOF). The hybrid reveals a 9-fold higher apoptotic percentage than bare CeO_x in a harsh hypoxic microenvironment through tandem homogenous catalysis. Simultaneously, the oxygen-promoted therapeutic efficiency was self-monitored by the hybrid with caspase-3 activation, paving the way for MOF-functionalized nanoenzymes in theranostics.