Transition-Metal-Based Nanozymes: Synthesis, Mechanisms of Therapeutic Action, and Applications in Cancer Treatment

Abstract

Cancer, as one of the leading causes of death worldwide, drives the advancement of cutting-edge technologies for cancer treatment. Transition-metal-based nanozymes emerge as promising therapeutic nanodrugs that provide a reference for cancer therapy. In this review, we present recent breakthrough nanozymes for cancer treatment. First, we comprehensively outline the preparation strategies involved in creating transition-metal-based nanozymes, including hydrothermal method, solvothermal method, chemical reduction method, biomimetic mineralization method, and sol−gel method. Subsequently, we elucidate the catalytic mechanisms (catalase (CAT)-like activities), peroxidase (POD)-like activities), oxidase (OXD)-like activities) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activities) of transition-metal-based nanozymes along with their activity regulation strategies such as morphology control, size manipulation, modulation, composition adjustment and surface modification under environmental stimulation. Furthermore, we elaborate on the diverse applications of transition-metal-based nanozymes in anticancer therapies encompassing radiotherapy (RT), chemodynamic therapy (CDT), photodynamic therapy (PDT), photothermal therapy (PTT), sonodynamic therapy (SDT), immunotherapy, and synergistic therapy. Finally, the challenges faced by transition-metal-based nanozymes are discussed alongside future research directions. The purpose of this review is to offer scientific guidance that will enhance the clinical applications of nanozymes based on transition metals.

Choline Phosphate-Grafted Nanozymes as Universal Extracellular Vesicle Probes for Bladder Cancer Detection

“…Inorganic nanozymes are widely used in biomedical research because of their high catalytic efficiency and good stability, outperforming biological enzymes (such as horseradish peroxidase, HRP) for signal amplification in ELISA. , To endow nanozymes with specific recognition toward target proteins, the surfaces of nanozymes are often modified with antibodies or aptamers. − Considering that the catalytic activity of nanozymes depends on the surface’s active sites, these surface modification strategies may impair their enzymatic activity . Various kinds of antibodies or aptamers are involved in fabricating nanoprobes for multiplex profiling of EV protein biomarkers. − However, only a few nanoprobes can be recognized by EV membrane proteins due to the small size of EVs and low copy number of the target proteins (normally 1–5 per EV), − leading to false negative results.…”