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Updated: Jun 21, 2025
Author Spotlight: Tracing the Ferroptotic Signatures and Cell Death Dynamics in Medulloblastoma for Advanced Therapeutics
Published on: March 15, 2024
Novel Carbon Quantum Dots Precisely Trigger Ferroptosis in Cancer Cells through Antioxidant Inhibition Synergistic
Nianqiang Jin1,2, Zilin Wang3, Chengcheng Yin4,5
1Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510280, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
High levels of glutathione (GSH) are an important characteristic of malignant tumors and a significant cause of ineffective treatment and multidrug resistance. Although reactive oxygen species (ROS) therapy has been shown to induce tumor cell death, the strong clearance effect of GSH on ROS significantly reduces its therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, there is a need to develop new strategies for targeting GSH. In this study, novel carbon quantum dots derived from gentamycin (GM-CQDs) were designed and synthesized. On the basis of the results obtained, GM-CQDs contain sp2 and sp3 carbon atoms as well as nitrogen oxygen groups, which decrease the intracellular levels of GSH by downregulating SLC7A11, thereby disrupting redox balance, mediating lipid peroxidation, and inducing ferroptosis. Transcriptome analysis demonstrated that GM-CQDs downregulated the expression of molecules related to GSH metabolism while significantly increasing the expression of molecules related to ferroptosis. The in vivo results showed that the GM-CQDs exhibited excellent antitumor activity and immune activation ability. Furthermore, because of their ideal biological safety, GM-CQDs are highly promising for application as drugs targeting GSH in the treatment of malignant tumors.
Insights
Novel carbon quantum dots derived from gentamycin (GM-CQDs) effectively lower glutathione (GSH) levels in tumors. This strategy enhances reactive oxygen species (ROS) therapy efficacy and shows promising antitumor activity with good safety.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Oncology
Background:
- High glutathione (GSH) levels in malignant tumors contribute to treatment resistance and ineffective reactive oxygen species (ROS) therapy.
- GSH's potent ROS scavenging ability significantly diminishes the therapeutic potential of ROS-based cancer treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop novel carbon quantum dots (CQDs) targeting GSH to overcome treatment resistance in malignant tumors.
- To investigate the mechanism of action of gentamycin-derived CQDs (GM-CQDs) in reducing intracellular GSH and inducing tumor cell death.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of novel carbon quantum dots from gentamycin (GM-CQDs).
- Assessment of GM-CQDs' effect on intracellular GSH levels, redox balance, and ferroptosis induction.
- Transcriptome analysis to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of GM-CQDs.
- In vivo studies to evaluate antitumor activity and immune activation.
Main Results:
- GM-CQDs were synthesized, characterized by sp2/sp3 carbon atoms and nitrogen-oxygen groups.
- GM-CQDs effectively decreased intracellular GSH by downregulating SLC7A11, disrupting redox balance, and inducing ferroptosis.
- Transcriptome analysis confirmed downregulation of GSH metabolism and upregulation of ferroptosis-related pathways.
- In vivo studies demonstrated significant antitumor activity, immune activation, and ideal biological safety.
Conclusions:
- GM-CQDs represent a novel therapeutic strategy for targeting GSH in malignant tumors.
- GM-CQDs effectively induce ferroptosis and exhibit potent antitumor effects with good safety profiles.
- These findings highlight the potential of GM-CQDs for overcoming drug resistance and enhancing cancer therapy.
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