Engineering Ru-Fe dual-atom catalysts for multi-enzyme ROS amplification and NIR-II photothermal therapy

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Nanocatalytic therapies for cancer rely on reactive oxygen species (ROS), but their effectiveness is limited by poor ROS generation and tumor microenvironment factors.
• Endogenous hydrogen peroxide availability and antioxidant levels in tumors hinder current nanocatalytic approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel heteronuclear dual-atom nanozyme for enhanced cancer therapy.
• To combine multi-enzyme-like catalytic activity with near-infrared-II (NIR-II) photothermal conversion for improved therapeutic outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Synthesized a heteronuclear dual-atom Ru-Fe nanozyme anchored onto a g-C₃N₄ matrix (Ru-Fe DA@NC).
• Investigated the nanozyme's multi-enzyme-like catalytic activities (oxidase, peroxidase, catalase, glutathione oxidase).
• Evaluated NIR-II photothermal conversion and its synergistic effects with catalytic activity in vitro and in vivo.

Main Results:

• Ru-Fe DA@NC demonstrated amplified ROS production through simultaneous catalytic pathways and enhanced ROS generation under NIR-II irradiation.
• The nanozyme effectively depleted intracellular glutathione, disrupting tumor redox homeostasis.
• Achieved >90% tumor growth inhibition at low metal concentrations with significant tumor cell death.
• Preliminary in vitro and hemocompatibility profiles were favorable.

Conclusions:

• Engineered heteronuclear Ru-Fe dual atoms offer a promising strategy to overcome limitations of ROS availability in tumors.
• Ru-Fe DA@NC nanozymes show significant potential for effective cancer therapy by combining catalytic and photothermal functions.
• This approach highlights the therapeutic potential of precisely engineered nanozymes for cancer treatment.