Iron-Based Nanoplatforms Achieve Hepatocellular Carcinoma Regression Through a Cascade of Effects

Ferroptosis is a regulated form of cell death characterized by iron-dependent accumulation of associated lipid peroxides (LPO), which can induce cell death when a certain level is reached. However, the extremely complex tumor microenvironment (TME) has the characteristics of antioxidant, even if it induces ferroptosis of tumor cells, its killing effect on tumor cells is still very limited. To solve this problem, we constructed a novel nanomaterials (GOx/EC@Fe₃O₄@CCM). We evaluated the anticancer effect of this nanomaterial in inhibiting tumor growth through comprehensive in vitro and in vivo experiments.

We successfully synthesized GOx/EC@Fe₃O₄ by one-pan synthesis method, then coated the Hepatocellular carcinoma cell membrane on its surface by co-extrusion technology, and finally synthesized the GOx/EC@Fe₃O₄@CCM nanoplatforms. We characterized the compounds in terms of morphology, particle size, and Zeta potential. In addition, we also studied the anti-tumor effect of GOx/EC@Fe₃O₄@CCM nanoplatforms from the following aspects, including the performance test of the nanoplatform, the intracellular effect of the nanoplatform, the anti-tumor effect in vitro, the intracellular ROS analysis, the intracellular effect of EC, and the anti-tumor effect in vivo.

The iron-based carriers in GOx/EC@Fe₃O₄@CCM nanoplatforms are released and produce ferrous ions (Fe²⁺) in an acidic environment. Due to the limitation of the endogenous level of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), we introduced GOx into the TME or tumor cells. Under the catalysis of GOx, glucose reacted rapidly to produce a large amount of H₂O₂, which then combined with Fe²⁺ to produce a large number of Hydroxyl radical (·OH). Its toxicity leads to dysfunction of cell membrane and organelles, and then causes cell damage. EC inhibits Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in cancer cells, which effectively down-regulates downstream gene products, including NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) and heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1). A series of chain reactions reduce the escape effect of oxidative stress (OS) and effectively maintain a high level of intracellular oxidation. Furthermore, it induces sustained and intense ferroptosis in tumor cells. Finally, the use of cancer cell membrane modified nanoplatforms due to the homology of membrane protein components improves the tumor cell targeting of the nanoplatforms, showing significant tumor cell inhibition and killing effect in vivo.

The results showed that the GOx/EC@Fe₃O₄@CCM nanoplatforms successfully induced significant ferroptosis of Hepatocellular carcinoma cells through a cascade effect, and finally effectively promoted cancer cell regression.