Enzymatic/Magnetic Hybrid Micromotors for Synergistic Anticancer Therapy

Abstract

Micro/nanomotors (MNMs), which propel by transforming various forms of energy into kinetic energy, have emerged as promising therapeutic nanosystems in biomedical applications. However, most MNMs used for anticancer treatment are only powered by one engine or provide a single therapeutic strategy. Although double-engined micromotors for synergistic anticancer therapy can achieve more flexible movement and efficient treatment efficacy, their design remains challenging. In this study, we used a facile preparation method to develop enzymatic/magnetic micromotors for synergetic cancer treatment via chemotherapy and starvation therapy (ST), and the size of micromotors can be easily regulated during the synthetic process. The enzymatic reaction of glucose oxidase, which served as the chemical engine, led to self-propulsion using glucose as a fuel and ST via a reduction in the energy available to cancer cells. Moreover, the incorporation of Fe3O4 nanoparticles as a magnetic engine enhanced the kinetic power and provided control over the direction of movement. Inherent pH-responsive drug release behavior was observed owing to the acidic decomposition of drug carriers in the intracellular microenvironment of cancer cells. This system displayed enhanced anticancer efficacy owing to the synergetic therapeutic strategies and increased cellular uptake in a targeted area because of the improved motion behavior provided by the double engines. Therefore, the demonstrated micromotors are promising candidates for anticancer biomedical microsystems.

Magnetic-Driven Hydrogel Microrobots Selectively Enhance Synthetic Lethality in MTAP-Deleted Osteosarcoma

“…Non-target drug delivery system based on magnetic-driven hydrogel microrobots could not only solve this problem but also avoid the obsession that no specific membrane protein is acknowledged to be the target of osteosarcoma. Microrobots, now being used for a multitude of applications, such as drug delivery, surgery, and diagnosis, can easily overcome the blood flow and approach the tumor loci actively, with the power of chemical or physical engine ( Wu et al, 2021 ). Magnetic-driven microrobots are generated by moving charges and magnetic materials, and thus capable of moving to the scheduled destination by the navigation of magnetic fields ( Mujtaba et al, 2021 ; Zhang et al, 2021 ; Zhou et al, 2021 ).…”

Magnetic bio-hybrid micro actuators

“…Another class of protein actuators is enzyme-powered micro/nanomotors, which have become increasingly more prominent in fabricating microactuators due to their biocompatibility and versatility. Through the catalytic action of an enzyme, conventional fuels, including H 2 O 2 , 105,106 urease, 107–110 and glucose, 111 can be decomposed, providing energy for the actuation of these motors. Combining these natural catalysts with magnetic materials embedded in small-scale structures allows for remote guidance when exposed to external fields.…”

The Voyage of Micro/nanorobots inside the Human Body

“…In addition, some researchers combine several actuation methods together to realize hybrid actuation methods for in vivo application, such as magneto-acoustic method, [26] chemical-acoustic method, [27] light-acoustic method, [28] chemical-magnetic method [29] etc. Thus, MNRs can be propelled by changing the applied fields according to different situation, which enables them with outstanding adaptability inside human body.…”