Tumor microenvironment responsive self-cascade catalysis for synergistic chemo/chemodynamic therapy by multifunctional biomimetic nanozymes

Abstract

Chemodynamic therapy (CDT) is an emerging approach to treat cancer based on the tumor microenvironment (TME), but its limited content of endogenous hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) weakens the anticancer effects. Herein, a multifunctional biomimetic nanozyme (Se@SiO₂–Mn@Au/DOX, named as SSMA/DOX) is fabricated, which undergoes TME responsive self-cascade catalysis to facilitate MRI guided enhanced chemo/chemodynamic therapy. The SSMA/DOX nanocomposites (NCs) responsively degrade in acidic conditions of tumor to release Se, DOX, Au and Mn²⁺. Mn²⁺ not only enables MRI to guided therapy, but also catalyzes the endogenous H₂O₂ into hydroxyl radical (˙OH) for CDT. In addition, the Au NPs continuously catalyze glucose to generate H₂O₂, enhancing CDT by supplementing a sufficiently reactive material and cutting off the energy supply of the tumor by consuming glucose. Simultaneously, Se enhances the chemotherapy of doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) and CDT by upregulating ROS in the tumor cells, achieving remarkable inhibition effect towards tumor. Moreover, SSMA/DOX NCs have good biocompatibility and degradability, which avoid long-term toxicity and side effects. Overall, the degradable SSMA/DOX NCs provide an innovative strategy for tumor microenvironment responsive self-cascade catalysis to enhance tumor therapy.