Copper-Based Metal-Organic Framework Enables ROS Amplification and Drug Potency Activation

Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced cancer therapy is extremely limited by tumor hypoxia, insufficient endogenous hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), overexpressed glutathione (GSH), and slower reaction rate. To address these challenges, in this paper, a hybrid nanomedicine (CaO₂@Cu/ZIF-8-ICG@LA, CCZIL) is developed using a copper-based metal-organic framework (Cu/ZIF-8) for cancer synergistic therapy. H₂O₂/O₂ self-supplementing, GSH-depleting, and photothermal properties multiply amplify ROS generation. Moreover, disulfiram (DSF) chemotherapy (CT) was activated by chelating with Cu²⁺ to synergize therapy. This novel strategy has enormous potential for ROS-involved synergistic antitumor therapy.