Nonoxidized MXene Quantum Dots Prepared by Microexplosion Method for Cancer Catalytic Therapy

Nanocatalysts based on Fenton or Fenton-like reactions for amplification of intracellular oxidative stress has become a frontier research area of tumor precise therapy. However, the major translational challenges are low catalytic efficiency, poor biocompatibility, and even potential toxicities. Here, a Ti-based material with excellent biocompatibility is proposed for cancer treatment. The nonoxidized MXene-Ti3C2Tx quantum dots (NMQDs-Ti3C2Tx) are successfully prepared by a self-designed microexplosion method. Surprisingly, it has an apparent inhibitory and killing effect on cancer cells, and excellent biocompatibility with normal cells. Moreover, the suppression rate of NMQDs-Ti3C2Tx on xenograft tumor models can reach 91.9% without damaging normal tissues. Mechanistically, the Ti3+ of NMQDs-Ti3C2Tx can react with H2O2 in the tumor microenvironment and high-efficiently produce excessive toxic hydroxyl radicals to increase tumor microvascular permeability to synergistically kill cancer cells. This work should pave the way for tumor catalytic therapy applications of Ti-based material as a promising and safer route.