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Published on: August 2, 2016
Inorganic nanoparticle agents for enhanced chemodynamic therapy of tumours
Sagang Koo1,2, Young Geon Kim1,2, Nohyun Lee3
1Center for Nanoparticle Research, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
With the recent interest in the role of oxidative species/radicals in diseases, inorganic nanomaterials with redox activities have been extensively investigated for their potential use in nanomedicine. While many studies focusing on relieving oxidative stress to prevent pathogenesis and to suppress the progression of diseases have shown considerable success, another approach for increasing oxidative stress using nanomaterials to kill malignant cells has suffered from low efficiency despite its wide applicability to various targets. Chemodynamic therapy (CDT) is an emerging technique that can resolve such a problem by exploiting the characteristic tumour microenvironment to achieve high selectivity. In this review, we summarize the recent strategies and underlying mechanisms that have been used to improve the CDT performance using inorganic nanoparticles. In addition to the design of CDT agents, the effects of contributing factors, such as the acidity and the levels of hydrogen peroxide and antioxidants in the tumour microenvironment, together with their modulation and application in combination therapy, are presented. The challenges lying ahead of future clinical translation of this rapidly advancing technology are also discussed.
Insights
Chemodynamic therapy (CDT) uses inorganic nanoparticles to selectively kill cancer cells by increasing oxidative stress. This review explores strategies to enhance CDT efficacy and discusses challenges for clinical application.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanomedicine
- Oncology
Background:
- Oxidative species play a role in diseases, prompting interest in redox-active inorganic nanomaterials for nanomedicine.
- While reducing oxidative stress has shown success, increasing it to kill malignant cells using nanomaterials has been inefficient.
- Chemodynamic therapy (CDT) offers a selective approach by leveraging the tumor microenvironment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review strategies for improving chemodynamic therapy (CDT) performance using inorganic nanoparticles.
- To explore underlying mechanisms and factors influencing CDT efficacy.
- To discuss challenges and future directions for clinical translation.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent strategies and mechanisms in inorganic nanoparticle-based CDT.
- Analysis of the tumor microenvironment's role (acidity, hydrogen peroxide, antioxidants).
- Discussion of modulating these factors and combination therapy approaches.
Main Results:
- Various strategies have been developed to enhance CDT performance using inorganic nanoparticles.
- Tumor microenvironment factors significantly impact CDT efficacy and selectivity.
- Modulation of the tumor microenvironment and combination therapies show promise.
Conclusions:
- Inorganic nanoparticles offer promising strategies for enhancing chemodynamic therapy.
- Optimizing CDT requires understanding and manipulating the tumor microenvironment.
- Further research is needed to address challenges for clinical translation of CDT.

