CeO₂ and Glucose Oxidase Co-Enriched Ti₃C₂T_x MXene for Hyperthermia-Augmented Nanocatalytic Cancer Therapy

Abstract

Foreseen as foundational in forthcoming oncology interventions are multimodal therapeutic systems. Nevertheless, the tumor microenvironment (TME), marked by heightened glucose levels, hypoxia, and scant concentrations of endogenous hydrogen peroxide could potentially impair their effectiveness. In this research, two-dimensional (2D) Ti 3 C 2 MXene nanosheets are engineered with CeO 2 nanozymes and glucose oxidase (GOD), optimizing them for TME, specifically targeting cancer therapy. Following our therapeutic design, CeO 2 nanozymes, embodying both peroxidase-like and catalase-like characteristics, enable transformation of H 2 O 2 into hydroxyl radicals for catalytic therapy while also producing oxygen to mitigate hypoxia. Concurrently, GOD metabolizes glucose, thereby augmenting H 2 O 2 levels and disrupting the intracellular energy supply. When subjected to a near-infrared laser, 2D Ti 3 C 2 MXene accomplishes photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT), additionally amplifying cascade catalytic treatment via thermal enhancement. Empirical evidence demonstrates robust tumor suppression both in vitro and in vivo by the CeO 2 /Ti 3 C 2 -PEG-GOD nanocomposite. Consequently, this integrated approach, which combines PTT/PDT and enzymatic catalysis, could offer a valuable blueprint for the development of advanced oncology therapies.