Nanozyme-Driven Ferroptosis-Cuproptosis Interplay in Lung Cancer

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Oncology

Background:

• Lung cancer presents unique metabolic heterogeneity and oxygen-rich environments, making it suitable for nanozyme-based therapies.
• Nanozymes offer potential for inducing ferroptosis and cuproptosis, but require precise delivery and safety control for lung cancer treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review nanozyme catalytic design for inducing ferroptosis and cuproptosis in lung cancer.
• To explore localized pulmonary delivery strategies and the interplay between ferroptosis and cuproptosis.
• To evaluate applications in metabolic reprogramming, tumor suppression, and immune sensitization.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on nanozyme catalysis, pulmonary delivery, and ferroptosis/cuproptosis mechanisms.
• Analysis of studies investigating iron- and copper-associated catalysis for tumor cell killing.
• Evaluation of evidence for immune response activation and therapeutic outcomes.

Main Results:

• Nanozyme-mediated iron and copper catalysis can enhance lipid peroxidation, deplete reductive capacity, and induce mitochondrial stress, leading to tumor cell death.
• These effects can promote immunogenic cell death and activate antitumor immunity.
• Current challenges include defining cuproptosis criteria, validating local delivery, and developing biomarker-guided strategies.

Conclusions:

• Nanozymes show promise for lung cancer therapy by inducing ferroptosis and cuproptosis, reprogramming metabolism, and sensitizing the immune system.
• Further research is critical to establish clear cuproptosis definitions, optimize local delivery, and guide clinical application through patient stratification and combination therapies.