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Updated: Aug 14, 2025
Polymalic Acid-based Nano Biopolymers for Targeting of Multiple Tumor Markers: An Opportunity for Personalized Medicine?
Published on: June 13, 2014
Pushpin-like nanozyme for plasmon-enhanced tumor targeted therapy
Baofu Ma1, Kun Zhang2, Zhen Sun3
1CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, National Chromatographic R. & A. Center, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics Chinese Academy of Science, Dalian 116023, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
We developed a novel pushpin-like gold/cerium oxide (Au/CeO2) nanozyme with enhanced catalytic activity for cancer therapy. This targeted nanozyme effectively eliminates tumor cells by generating reactive oxygen species and triggering immune responses, paving the way for clinical translation.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Materials Chemistry
Background:
- Nanoceria (CeO2) nanozymes show promise for cancer treatment but are limited by low catalytic activity and poor targeting.
- Developing nanozymes with improved efficacy and specificity is crucial for advancing cancer nanomedicine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and synthesize a novel pushpin-like gold/cerium oxide (Au/CeO2) hybrid nanozyme with enhanced catalytic activity and targeting capabilities.
- To investigate the in vitro and in vivo antitumor effects of the designed nanozyme.
- To elucidate the underlying anti-tumor therapeutic mechanisms using quantitative proteomics.
Main Methods:
- Site-selective growth and steric restriction strategies were employed to create the pushpin-like Au/CeO2 nanozyme.
- Plasmon-induced hot electrons were utilized to enhance catalytic activity.
- Folic acid and polyethylene glycol (PEG) were used for targeting molecule modification (FA-Au/CeO2).
- In vitro and in vivo antitumor efficacy was evaluated in cancer cells and mouse models.
- Quantitative proteomics was performed to analyze the therapeutic mechanism.
Main Results:
- The pushpin-like Au/CeO2 nanozyme exhibited significantly enhanced catalytic activity compared to unmodified nanoceria.
- FA-Au/CeO2 demonstrated superior in vitro and in vivo antitumor effects due to high catalytic activity and active targeting.
- The nanozyme induced mitochondrial and proteasomal damage in tumor cells via reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation.
- Proteomic analysis revealed that the nanozyme evoked oxidative stress responses and innate immunity in vivo.
Conclusions:
- The designed pushpin-like Au/CeO2 nanozyme represents a multifunctional nanoplatform for enhanced plasmon-driven cancer therapy with active targeting.
- Structural design strategies can effectively improve the catalytic activity and therapeutic efficacy of nanozymes.
- Understanding the molecular mechanisms of nanozyme action through proteomics promotes their clinical translation for cancer treatment.
