Developing radiosensitizers based on the characteristics of the tumor microenvironment can improve the effectiveness and overcome the bottleneck of cervical cancer radiotherapy. Herein, an in situ synthesis strategy is demonstrated by using a highly bioactive zeolitic imidazolate framework to cap Mn 3 O 4 and folic acid as targeting molecules (FA-Mn 3 O 4 @ZIF-8) to achieve enhanced radiosensitization against cervical cancer. As expected, the ZIF-8 cap on the surface of Mn 3 O 4 responds more effectively to X-rays. Meanwhile, by facilitating the presence of oxygen vacancies and valence transition of manganese on the surface of Mn 3 O 4 , the ZIF-8 cap on Mn 3 O 4 can increase the catalytic capacity for hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) and glutathione as well as produce more singlet oxygen under X-ray, alleviate hypoxia within the tumor microenvironment, and increase reactive oxygen species production. Moreover, FA-Mn 3 O 4 @ZIF-8 shows excellent radiotherapy-sensitizing properties in vitro and in vivo by promoting DNA damage and apoptosis. Collectively, this study suggests that designing and construction of X-ray responsive nanoradiosensitizers could be a good way for future clinical radiotherapy of malignant cervical cancer.
Cervical Cancer‐Targeting Radiosensitization
In article number 2213364, Xueqiong Zhu, Tianfeng Chen, and co‐workers report zeolitic imidazolate framework‐capped Mn3O4 nanoparticles modified with folic acid with X‐ray response properties. This nanoparticle possesses a high oxygen vacancies rate and Mn3+ ratio, promoting H2O2 and glutathione degradation, producing more singlet oxygen under X‐ray, increasing reactive oxygen species level, and alleviating hypoxia within the tumor microenvironment. It shows promising potential for anti‐cervical cancer therapeutics.
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