Diagram. **Xie Wenteng.
Recently, a research team led by Professor Wu Zhengyan of the Hefei Institute of Physical Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Sciences collaborated with Binzhou Medical University to successfully design a nanostructure to improve the detection and ** of tumors.
Their work, recently published in SMALL, focuses on creating a highly specific method that utilizes a combination of magnetic resonance imaging and enzyme activity to diagnose and ** tumors.
Certain chemical reactions, called metal-mediated Fenton-like reactions, can rapidly increase levels of harmful reactive oxygen species and slow tumor growth," Professor Wu said, "while enzymes made of copper have high catalytic activity and respond well to the tumor environment, but not very stable."
Therefore, the development of a core-shell nano-diagnostic agent responsive to the tumor microenvironment can enable early tumor diagnosis and effect monitoring, and protect copper-based nanozymes from steric hindrance caused by inactivation.
To solve this problem, the team developed a core-shell structure called cumno@fe3o4 (CMF) that responds to the tumor microenvironment. They then attached a PDGFB-targeting ligand to the surface of the CMF, creating a specific nanozyme called PCMF for the tumor.
The core-shell design of PCMF prevents interference with the thiol groups found in macromolecules during blood circulation. This promotes the antitumor activity of PCMF.
When activated by weak acids and glutathione, PCMF exhibits T1 and T2 dual contrast imaging capabilities. This means that it can provide enhanced imaging contrast for diagnosing tumors.
In addition, PCMF is degraded in the tumor microenvironment, releasing metal ions as well as ultra-small iron oxides. This process consumes glutathione, accelerates Fenton and Fenton-like reactions, increases intracellular reactive oxygen species levels, and induces apoptosis and ferroptosis in cancer cells.
PCMF also has photothermal conversion capabilities, so it can be used in combination of photothermal and nanocatalysis** to enhance anticancer activity.
According to the team, this work provides insights into achieving highly sensitive tumor-specific** diagnoses.
More information: Wenteng Xie et al, Tumor microenvironment-activated nanostructures to enhance MRI capabilities and nanozyme activity in highly tumor-specific multimodal** diagnostics, small (2023). doi： 10.1002/smll.202306446