Redox Responsive Metal Organic Framework Nanoparticles Induces Ferroptosis for Cancer Therapy

Ferroptosis is attracting significant attention due to its effectiveness in tumor treatment. The efficiency to produce toxic lipid peroxides (LPOs) at the tumor site plays a key role in ferroptosis. A hybrid PFP@Fe/Cu-SS metal organic framework (MOF) is synthesized and shown to increase intratumoral LPO content through redox reactions generating ·OH. In addition, glutathione (GSH) depletion through disulfide-thiol exchange leads to the inactivation of glutathione peroxide 4 (GPX4), which results in a further increase in LPO content. This MOF exhibits high inhibitory effect on the growth of xenografted Huh-7 tumors in mice. The coadministration of a ferroptosis inhibitor reduces the antitumor effect of the MOF, leading to a restoration of GPX4 activity and an increase in tumor growth. Moreover, the construction of Cu into mesoporous PFP@Fe/Cu-SS not only allows the MOF to be used as a contrast agent for T₁ -weighted magnetic resonance imaging, but also renders its photothermal conversion capacity. Thus, near-infrared irradiation is able to induce photothermal therapy and transform the encapsulated liquid perfluoropentane into microbubbles for ultrasound imaging.