A Single-Atom Nanozyme Cascade for Selective Tumor-Microenvironment-Responsive Nanocatalytic Therapy

Area of Science:

• Nanomedicine
• Biotechnology
• Cancer Research

Background:

• Cancer cells evolve resistance to current therapies, necessitating novel treatment strategies.
• Nanomedicine offers potential for developing advanced cancer therapeutics.
• Nanozymes, mimicking enzyme functions, show promise as anticancer agents due to their adjustable properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the anticancer mechanism of a biocompatible cobalt-single-atom nanozyme (Co-SAs@NC).
• To elucidate the cascade function of Co-SAs@NC's catalase and oxidase-like activities within the tumor microenvironment.
• To evaluate the efficacy of Co-SAs@NC in inducing tumor cell apoptosis through in vivo studies.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis and characterization of cobalt-single-atom nanozyme (Co-SAs@NC).
• In vitro assessment of catalase and oxidase-like activities.
• In vivo studies to evaluate the nanozyme's mechanism of action in tumor cell apoptosis.

Main Results:

• Co-SAs@NC demonstrated significant biocompatibility.
• The nanozyme exhibited synergistic catalase and oxidase-like activities in the tumor microenvironment.
• In vivo experiments confirmed Co-SAs@NC's ability to induce tumor cell apoptosis.

Conclusions:

• Cobalt-single-atom nanozymes (Co-SAs@NC) represent a promising next-generation nanomedicine for cancer therapy.
• The cascade enzymatic activities of Co-SAs@NC are crucial for its tumor-apoptotic effects.
• Further in vivo validation supports the potential of Co-SAs@NC in clinical cancer treatment strategies.