Carbon-encapsulated magnetite nanodonut suggested for synergistic cancer therapy

Recently, a research team led by Prof. WANG Hui from Hefei Institutes of Physical Science (HFIPS), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), in collaboration with researchers from the University of Washington, constructed a photoresponsive carbon encapsulated magneto nanodonut (CEMNDs) nanoenzyme with dual catalytic activity for photothermally enhanced chemodynamic cancer synergistic therapy, using the Steady-State High Magnetic Field Experimental Facility (SHMFF).

The relevant results were published in Advanced Healthcare Materials.

Iron-based nanoenzyme-mediated chemodynamic therapy (CDT) has attracted great attention in tumor catalytic therapy in recent years. However, tumor cells' limited uptake of iron-based nanoenzyme and weak iron ion release make cancer treatment challenging. It is effective to create the quasi-two-dimensional structure of the iron-based nano-enzyme to boost tumor cell uptake. Iron-based nanoenzyme's quasi-two-dimensional structure leads to increased specific surface area, enabling faster iron ion release and improved Fenton reaction hydroxyl radical (·OH) formation, optimizing tumor therapy.
In this study, researchers introduced light-responsive CEMNDs that exhibited dual-catalytic activities for CDT.

"CEMNDs can accumulate within tumor sites and penetrate tumor cells, where they act as peroxidase enzymes to convert H₂O₂ into ·OH，" said MENG Xiangfu, first author of the paper, "this catalytic process induces targeted tumor cell death."

The carbon layer on CEMNDs constructed by the solvothermal method was able to improve the stability and biocompatibility of the nanoenzyme. The two-dimensional construction of CEMNDs improved the uptake rate of CEMNDS in tumor cells, accelerated the release of iron ions and Fenton reaction in the tumor microenvironment, and realized the therapeutic ability of CDT. The glutathione oxidase activity of CEMNDs promoted the oxidation of glutathione, protected the ·OH formed by Fenton reaction, and enhanced the therapeutic effect of CDT.

In addition, the optical absorption of CEMNDs in the second near infrared window (NIR-II) region was able to effectively convert light energy into heat energy, further realizing photothermally enhanced cancer chemodynamic therapy.

The findings of this study hold promise for advancing cancer treatment modalities, according to the team.