Water-Dispersible MXene Governs Glycolysis for Cancer Synergistic Therapy

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanomedicine
• Cancer Therapy

Background:

• Targeted delivery of glucose oxidase (GOx) using MXene is challenging due to poor dispersion and oxidation.
• Tumor microenvironments often exhibit hypoxia and high glutathione (GSH) levels, complicating treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a non-chemically modified MXene system for enhanced glucose oxidase delivery and cancer therapy.
• To create a system that modulates the tumor microenvironment by adjusting oxygen levels and glutathione degradation.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a bovine serum albumin-mediated strategy for MXene modification, improving water dispersion and stability.
• Integrated MXene into a glycolysis-controllable therapy system, incorporating O2 cycling and GSH degradation pathways.
• Investigated the generation of reactive oxygen species and disruption of cellular energy production.

Main Results:

• Achieved long-time water-dispersion of titanium carbide MXene.
• Demonstrated an effective O2 cycling and GSH degradation pathway within the tumor microenvironment.
• Showcased significantly elevated in vitro and in vivo therapy effects by disrupting oxidative stress and inhibiting glycolysis.

Conclusions:

• The developed MXene-based system offers a promising approach for cancer treatment by combining starvation and photothermal therapy.
• The system effectively reduces glucose levels and cellular energy production, leading to superior anti-cancer outcomes.
• This non-chemotherapeutic strategy presents a novel way to adjust the tumor microenvironment for enhanced therapeutic efficacy.