Biodegradable CuMoO₄ Nanodots with Multienzyme Activities for Multimodal Treatment of Tumor

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Cancer Therapeutics

Background:

• Tumor complexity necessitates multimodal combination therapies.
• Developing versatile therapeutic agents is crucial for effective cancer treatment.
• Existing treatments face challenges due to tumor heterogeneity and resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize novel copper molybdate (CuMoO4) nanodots for cancer therapy.
• To evaluate the multimodal therapeutic potential of CuMoO4 nanodots.
• To investigate the synergistic effects of photothermal therapy, enzyme mimetics, and cell death induction.

Main Methods:

• Hydrothermal synthesis of CuMoO4 nanodots (<10 nm).
• Assessment of nanodot dispersion, biosafety, and biodegradability.
• Evaluation of multienzyme activities (catalase, peroxidase, glutathione peroxidase).
• Measurement of photothermal conversion efficiency under near-infrared laser irradiation.
• In vitro and in vivo studies on tumor cell oxidative stress, ferroptosis, cuproptosis, and immunogenic cell death.

Main Results:

• CuMoO4 nanodots are water-dispersible, biocompatible, and biodegradable.
• Nanodots exhibit significant catalase, peroxidase, and glutathione peroxidase-like activities.
• High photothermal conversion efficiency (41%) achieved with 1064 nm laser.
• Effective inhibition of tumor cell oxidative stress response.
• Synergistic photothermal-induced ferroptosis and induction of immunogenic cell death.
• Demonstrated induction of cuproptosis in tumor cells.

Conclusions:

• CuMoO4 nanodots represent a promising platform for multimodal cancer therapy.
• The combination of enzyme mimetics, photothermal therapy, ferroptosis, cuproptosis, and immunotherapy offers a comprehensive treatment strategy.
• This nanoplatform holds potential for overcoming tumor complexity and enhancing therapeutic outcomes.