Nanozymes for ferroptosis-based cancer theranostics

Nanozymes, engineered nanomaterials with enzyme-mimetic activities, have emerged as versatile platforms for ferroptosis-based cancer theranostics. Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death driven by lipid peroxidation, has emerged as a promising strategy to overcome resistance to conventional cancer therapies. By catalyzing redox reactions, nanozymes can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and promote ferroptotic lipid peroxidation, thereby triggering cell death in tumor cells that evade apoptosis-based treatments. In parallel, non-redox activities of nanozymes, including hydrolase- and phosphatase-like functions, enable them to remodel the tumor microenvironment (TME), modulate biomolecular signaling, and support targeted therapy. This review provides a systematic and design-oriented overview of nanozymes that interface with ferroptosis. We summarize how redox and non-redox nanozyme activities converge on key ferroptosis-related processes, such as ROS production, glutathione depletion, iron metabolism disruption, and TME regulation. We then highlight rational engineering strategies, including single-atom and multimetallic catalytic centers, biodegradable coordination frameworks, stimuli-responsive architectures, and protein corona engineering, that enhance catalytic specificity, tumor targeting, and biosafety. Theranostic implementations are discussed with emphasis on multimodal imaging-guided platforms and combination regimens that integrate chemotherapy, radiotherapy, phototherapy, and immunotherapy. Finally, we outline major translational challenges and future opportunities, including AI and computation-guided nanozyme design and adaptive, corona-informed systems tailored for personalized cancer therapy. This review aims to serve as a roadmap for developing clinically translatable nanozymes that unify diagnosis and treatment through ferroptosis-oriented precision oncology.