Heparin-Based Nanoparticles for Targeted Anti-Tumor Therapy by Efficient Ferroptosis

Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent programmed cell death driven by lipid peroxidation that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various diseases, especially lethal cancers. Numerous studies have suggested that ferroptosis serves as a bona fide target for antitumor therapies. However, therapeutic efficacy and tumor-targeting capacity still need to be improved, and the underlying mechanisms need to be studied and illustrated. In this study, a nanoformulation of folate-acid-decorated Fe-loaded heparin nanoparticles was rationally designed with the intention of facilitating tumor accumulation for antitumor therapy, with efficient ferroptosis efficacy. The results of both in vitro and in vivo experiments indicated that the nanomedication used in this study could provide an effective antitumor system with efficient ferroptosis capacity and satisfactory biosafety.