Single-Atom Nanoenzyme-Based Autoluminescence System for Cancer Cell Imaging and Mitochondrial-Targeted Therapy

Abstract

The autoluminescence nanoplatform based on a single-atom catalyst has the potential to achieve accurate tumor diagnosis and treatment. Taking advantage of this, glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) and chitosan-modified single Fe−N−C atom catalysts (SAF NPs) loaded with luminol-curcumin (Cur) were fabricated (SAF-LCCG). Once delivered to the tumor, this autoluminescence SAF-LCCG could target the mitochondria to restrain tumor metastasis and promote the production of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ). Then, SAF NPs with Fenton-like properties could actively utilize intracellular H 2 O 2 to produce •OH for chemodynamic therapy. After that, excess •OH and H 2 O 2 were transmitted to luminol to emit blue-violet chemiluminescence (CL) for cancer cell imaging. Synchronously, light was transferred to Cur to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) which realized photodynamic therapy. Besides, Cur could be served as a chemotherapeutic drug to enhance intracellular ROS for penetrating therapy. More importantly, the massive accumulation of ROS in cancer cells can promote the CL intensity of luminol, which realized the cyclic ROS amplification. This autoluminescence nanoplatform was developed for accurate cancer cell imaging, effective inhibition of tumor metastasis, and synergistic and penetrated treatment of tumors.

Antioxidant curcumin induces oxidative stress to kill tumor cells (Review)

“…In addition to targeting curcumin to mitochondria through micelles, several other approaches may achieve this goal. For instance, the introduction of different nanocarriers and the development of curcumin targeting mitochondrial derivatives ( 37 , 38 ). Therefore, a therapeutic approach may be to induce oxidative stress in the mitochondria of tumor cells by targeting curcumin to mitochondria.…”

Thermoresponsive and Substrate Self-Cycling Nanoenzyme System for Efficient Tumor Therapy

“…A nanozyme is a new type of inorganic nanomaterial with enzyme-like catalytic activity that can catalyze substrates into products under physiological conditions. It has shown great potential in the application of active oxygen-mediated tumor therapy because of its high stability in a harsh tumor environment, excellent performance in improving the therapeutic effect, and reducing toxic side effects. − For example, the peroxidase-mimic (POD-mimic) nanozyme has been reported to be able to produce highly toxic hydroxyl radicals (·OH), which is a type of ROS with cytotoxicity. , High levels of ROS are harmful for cells and tissues by causing lipid peroxidation, protein denaturation, and damage of DNA with oxidative damage. − Yang et al reported an iron ion stabilizing hybrid supramolecular polymeric nanomedicine, which could catalyze intracellular H 2 O 2 to ROS for tumor therapy . However, as the catalytic substrate of nanozyme, the amount of H 2 O 2 was limited in solid tumors that severely restrict the antitumor efficiency.…”