Disulfiram-loaded CuO₂ nanocarriers for enhanced synergistic chemodynamic chemotherapy

Disulfiram (DSF) metabolites exhibit antitumor properties when bound to Cu²⁺. This combination also promotes the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), ultimately leading to tumor cell death. In this study, CuO₂ served as a carrier for DSF, forming a dual-drug delivery system with Cu²⁺ and DSF encapsulated in polydopamine (PDA). In the final delivery system, CuO₂ (DSF-CuO₂@PDA) was hydrolyzed at the tumor site, releasing both Cu²⁺ and H₂O₂. Cu²⁺ reacts with DSF metabolites to form Bis(diethyldithiocarbamate)-Cu (CuET), which triggers a Fenton-like reaction that generates ROS. Chemotherapy and chemodynamic therapy exhibited significant tumor-suppressive capabilities, with an inhibition rate of 61 %. In addition, the DSF-CuO₂@PDA complex demonstrated superlative tumor-targeting ability and biocompatibility.