NIR-Powered CeVO₄/Ag₂S Redox Nanorocket for Tumor Penetration and Self-Sustaining Catalytic Therapy

Nanozyme-based nanomotors have shown significant potential in biomedical applications, particularly in catalytic tumor therapy, due to their stability and autonomous propulsion capabilities. However, their therapeutic efficacy is limited by diffusion barriers within dense tumor tissues and low catalytic efficiency in the mild tumor microenvironment. Herein, Ag₂S-decorated mesoporous silica-coated CeVO₄-based near-infrared-powered nanorockets were designed and synthesized for enhanced-penetrating synergistic photothermal-catalytic tumor therapy. In this construct, the CeVO₄ core acts as a redox-active chemical engine within the permeable silica shell, facilitating glutathione depletion and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation from endogenous H₂O₂. The anchored Ag₂S nanoparticles endow the nanorockets with the capability of NIR-driven self-propulsion behavior via active thermophoresis. Under NIR irradiation, the localized heat drives the nanorockets to overcome diffusion barriers and reach internal tumor reservoirs. Simultaneously, this thermal effect accelerates catalytic reaction kinetics, thereby establishing a self-sustaining therapeutic loop. This approach addresses the limitations of poor tissue penetration and low functional coupling, providing a motility-enhanced, self-amplifying anti-tumor strategy.