A Photoresponsive Nanozyme for Synergistic Catalytic Therapy and Dual Phototherapy

Abstract

Dual phototherapy, including photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT), has shown a great prospect in cancer treatment. However, its therapeutic effect is restricted by the depth of light penetration in tissue and tumor hypoxia environment. Herein, inspired by the specific response of nanozymes to the tumor microenvironment (TME), a simple and versatile nanozyme‐mediated synergistic dual phototherapy nanoplatform (denoted as FePc/HNCSs) is constructed using hollow nitrogen‐doped carbon nanospheres (HNCSs) and iron phthalocyanine (FePc). FePc/HNCSs simultaneously exhibit peroxidase (POD)‐ and catalase (CAT)‐like activities, which not only can convert endogenous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) into highly toxic hydroxyl radicals (•OH) for catalytic therapy, but also decompose H2O2 to oxygen (O2) to enhance O2‐dependent PDT. In addition, their enzyme‐like activities are significantly enhanced under light irradiation. Combining with the excellent photothermal effect, FePc/HNCSs realize a high tumor inhibition rate of 96.3%. This strategy opens a new horizon for exploring a more powerful tumor treatment nanoplatform.

A Review on Metal- and Metal Oxide-Based Nanozymes: Properties, Mechanisms, and Applications

“…The photothermal effect and light-induced electron transfer have been demonstrated to be involved with the photoenhanced enzyme-like activity of nanozymes [271][272][273]. With AuNPs and α-FeOOH microcrystals grown on porous carbons, Zhang et al obtained Au/α-FeOOH-FPC catalysts with visible-light-driven enzymatic property [274].…”

“…Fluorescence spectra and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) data revealed that the key of S 2– -mediated activity switching mechanism lied in the structure change of protein molecule and ratio change of Pt 2+ /Pt 0 with the introduction of sulfide ions. Light The photothermal effect and light-induced electron transfer have been demonstrated to be involved with the photo-enhanced enzyme-like activity of nanozymes [ 271 – 273 ]. With AuNPs and α-FeOOH microcrystals grown on porous carbons, Zhang et al obtained Au/α-FeOOH–FPC catalysts with visible-light-driven enzymatic property [ 274 ].…”

Peroxidase Mimetic Nanozymes in Cancer Phototherapy: Progress and Perspectives

“…As a result, successful inhibition of pancreatic cell growth was achieved via photo-enhanced enzyme catalytic therapy. Yang et al designed a hollow nitrogen-doped carbon nanospheres (HNCSs) and iron phthalocyanine (FePc) for synergistic catalytic and dual phototherapy [65]. FePc/HNCSs simultaneously exhibit POD-and CAT-like activities and facilitates to convert endogenous H2O2 into ROS and O2 for tumor catalytic therapy as well as enhance O2-dependent PDT.…”

Nanocarrier-Based Drug Delivery for Melanoma Therapeutics

“…By targeting tumor cells, nanoparticles can greatly reduce the minimal drug toxicity to healthy tissues/organs [153]. Due to its controllability and traceability, nanotechnology-based PDT [154,155] and thermotherapy [156] may be a powerful method for cancer research and treatment in the future. The early treatment of melanoma is effective, and diagnosis is necessary before metastasis occurs.…”