Mitochondria-targeting nanozyme for catalytical therapy and radiotherapy with activation of cGAS-STING

Overcoming radio-resistance and enhance radio-sensitivity to obtain desired therapeutic outcome plays an important role in treating cancer.

Here we constructed a versatile enzyme-like nano-radiosensitizer MDP. MDP is composed of MnCO decorated and Ru-based nanozyme with triphenylphosphine (TPP) group coordinated on the surface.

Due to the mitochondria-targeting ability of TPP and enhanced permeability and retention effect (EPR) effect of MDP, MDP accumulated in the mitochondria of tumor cells. Therefore, quantities of reactive oxygen species were produced via multiple enzyme-like properties including peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) in a tumor microenvironment mimicking status. In additional, more energy of radiation ionizing was deposed in tumor site via Compton effect and secondary electron scattering by Ru element. Impressively, it was disclosed that the nanozyme can act as a cGAS-STING agonist to provoke immune response of the system, which hereby further elevated this combined therapy.

Collectively, we fabricated a novel nanozyme with POD and CAT mimicking properties for the combination therapy of catalytical therapy, radiotherapy as well as immune therapy to eliminate cancer.