Issue 33, 2023

Biodegradable nanoemulsion-based bioorthogonal nanocatalysts for intracellular generation of anticancer therapeutics

Abstract

Bioorthogonal catalysis mediated by transition metal catalysts (TMCs) provides controlled in situ activation of prodrugs through chemical reactions that do not interfere with cellular bioprocesses. The direct use of ‘naked’ TMCs in biological environments can have issues of solubility, deactivation, and toxicity. Here, we demonstrate the design and application of a biodegradable nanoemulsion-based scaffold stabilized by a cationic polymer that encapsulates a palladium-based TMC, generating bioorthogonal nanocatalyst “polyzymes”. These nanocatalysts enhance the stability and catalytic activity of the TMCs while maintaining excellent mammalian cell biocompatibility. The therapeutic potential of these nanocatalysts was demonstrated through efficient activation of a non-toxic prodrug into an active chemotherapeutic drug, leading to efficient killing of cancer cells.

Graphical abstract: Biodegradable nanoemulsion-based bioorthogonal nanocatalysts for intracellular generation of anticancer therapeutics

  • This article is part of the themed collection: Nanozymes

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
18 apr 2023
Accepted
25 jul 2023
First published
03 aug 2023

Nanoscale, 2023,15, 13595-13602

Biodegradable nanoemulsion-based bioorthogonal nanocatalysts for intracellular generation of anticancer therapeutics

A. Nabawy, A. Gupta, M. Jiang, C. Hirschbiegel, S. Fedeli, A. N. Chattopadhyay, J. Park, X. Zhang, L. Liu and V. M. Rotello, Nanoscale, 2023, 15, 13595 DOI: 10.1039/D3NR01801F

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