Redox Dyshomeostasis Strategy for Hypoxic Tumor Therapy Based on DNAzyme-Loaded Electrophilic ZIFs

Yanli Li1, Peiran Zhao1, Teng Gong1,2

  • 1Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, P. R. China.

Insights

This study introduces a redox dyshomeostasis (RDH) strategy using a nanoplatform to disrupt tumor cell redox balance. This approach enhances reactive oxygen species (ROS) therapy effectiveness in hypoxic tumors.

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Nanotechnology
  • Cancer Therapy

Background:

  • Tumor cells exhibit tolerance to reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to maintained redox homeostasis, hindering ROS-mediated therapies.
  • Hypoxic microenvironments within tumors exacerbate ROS tolerance, presenting a significant challenge for effective cancer treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a novel nanoplatform-based strategy for inducing redox dyshomeostasis (RDH) in hypoxic tumor cells.
  • To enhance the efficacy of ROS-mediated tumor therapy by disrupting the tumor's redox balance.

Main Methods:

  • A nanoplatform, FeCysPW@ZIF-82@CAT Dz, was designed to deliver catalase DNAzyme (CAT Dz) into tumor cells.
  • The nanoplatform triggers intracellular RDH via Zn2+-mediated CAT silencing and glutathione (GSH) depletion under hypoxia.
  • Ferrous cysteine-phosphotungstate (FeCysPW) was utilized for chemodynamic therapy (CDT) on the compromised tumor cells.

Main Results:

  • The nanoplatform effectively induced RDH and H2O2 accumulation within tumor cells under hypoxic conditions.
  • The compromised tumor cells exhibited reduced resistance to ROS, leading to enhanced cell death.
  • In vitro and in vivo studies confirmed the triple stimuli-responsive nanocomposite's efficacy in killing hypoxic tumors.

Conclusions:

  • The proposed RDH strategy effectively disrupts tumor redox homeostasis, making hypoxic tumors more susceptible to ROS-mediated therapies.
  • This approach offers a promising new paradigm for improving the treatment outcomes of ROS-mediated therapies in hypoxic tumors.