Ferroptosis
therapy by catalyzing the Fenton reaction has emerged
as a promising tumor elimination strategy for lung adenocarcinoma
(ADC). However, the unsatisfactory Fenton reaction efficiency, strong
intracellular antioxidant system, and insufficient lung drug accumulation
limits the ferroptosis therapeutic effect. To address these issues,
an inhalable nanoreactor was proposed by spontaneously adsorbing biomimetic
protein corona (PC) composed of matrix metalloproteinase 2 responsive
gelatin and glutamate (Glu) on the surface of cationic nanostructured
lipid carriers (NLC) core loaded with ferrocene (Fc) and fluvastatin.
The prepared Fc-NLC(F)@PC could be nebulized into lung lesions with
2.6 times higher drug accumulation and boost lipid peroxide production
by 3.2 times to enhance ferroptosis therapy. Mechanically, fluvastatin
was proved to inhibit monocarboxylic acid transporter 4 mediated lactate
efflux, inducing tumor acidosis to boost Fc-catalyzing reactive oxygen
species production, while the extracellular elevating Glu concentration
was found to inhibit xCT (system Xc
–)
functions and further collapse the tumor antioxidant system by glutathione
synthesis suppression. Mitochondrial dysfunction and cell membrane
damage were involved in the nanoreactor-driven ferroptotic cell death
process. The enhanced antitumor effects by combination of tumor acidosis
and antioxidant system collapse were confirmed in an orthotopic lung
ADC tumor model. Overall, the proposed nanoreactor highlights the
pulmonary delivery approach for local lung ADC treatment and underscores
the great potential of ferroptosis therapy.