Reactive Oxygen Species-Based Nanomaterials for Cancer Therapy
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Updated: Nov 6, 2025
Production and Detection of Reactive Oxygen Species ROS in Cancers
Published on: November 21, 2011
Yingbo Li1,2, Jie Yang1,2, Xilin Sun1,2
1National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Key Laboratory of Molecular Probe and Targeted Theranostics, Molecular Imaging Research Center (MIRC), Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.
Abstract:
Nanotechnology advances in cancer therapy applications have led to the development of nanomaterials that generate cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) specifically in tumor cells. ROS act as a double-edged sword, as they can promote tumorigenesis and proliferation but also trigger cell death by enhancing intracellular oxidative stress. Various nanomaterials function by increasing ROS production in tumor cells and thereby disturbing their redox balance, leading to lipid peroxidation, and oxidative damage of DNA and proteins. In this review, we outline these mechanisms, summarize recent progress in ROS-based nanomaterials, including metal-based nanoparticles, organic nanomaterials, and chemotherapy drug-loaded nanoplatforms, and highlight their biomedical applications in cancer therapy as drug delivery systems (DDSs) or in combination with chemodynamic therapy (CDT), photodynamic therapy (PDT), or sonodynamic therapy (SDT). Finally, we discuss the advantages and limitations of current ROS-mediated nanomaterials used in cancer therapy and speculate on the future progress of this nanotechnology for oncological applications.
Insights
Nanomaterials can be engineered to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) selectively in cancer cells, offering a novel therapeutic strategy. This approach leverages ROS to induce oxidative stress and promote cancer cell death.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Oncology
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a dual role in cancer, promoting growth but also enabling cell death via oxidative stress.
- Nanomaterials are being developed to selectively increase ROS production within tumor cells, disrupting their redox balance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review mechanisms of ROS-mediated cancer therapy using nanomaterials.
- To summarize recent advancements in ROS-based nanomaterials for cancer treatment.
- To highlight biomedical applications and future directions in this field.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature on ROS-generating nanomaterials.
- Categorization of nanomaterials (metal-based, organic, drug-loaded).
- Analysis of therapeutic strategies including drug delivery systems (DDSs), chemodynamic therapy (CDT), photodynamic therapy (PDT), and sonodynamic therapy (SDT).
Main Results:
- Nanomaterials enhance ROS production, leading to lipid peroxidation and damage to DNA/proteins in cancer cells.
- Various nanomaterial platforms show promise as DDSs or in combination therapies.
- ROS-mediated strategies offer targeted cancer cell death induction.
Conclusions:
- ROS-based nanomaterials represent a promising nanotechnology for cancer therapy.
- Further research is needed to address advantages and limitations for clinical translation.
- Future progress holds potential for advanced oncological applications.
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