Zwitterion-Based Hydrogen Sulfide Nanomotors Induce Multiple Acidosis in Tumor Cells by Destroying Tumor Metabolic Symbiosis

Destruction of tumor metabolism symbiosis is an attractive cancer treatment method which targets tumor cells with little harm to normal cells. Yet, a single intervention strategy and poor penetration of the drug in tumor tissue result in limited effect. Herein, we propose a zero-waste zwitterion-based hydrogen sulfide (H2S)-driven nanomotor based on the basic principle of reaction in human body. When loaded with monocarboxylic acid transporter inhibitor alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (alpha-CHCA), the nanomotor can move in tumor microenvironment and induce multiple acidosis of tumor cells and inhibit tumor growth through the synergistic effect of motion effect, driving force H2S and alpha-CHCA. Given the good biosafety of the substrate and driving gas of this kind of nanomotor, as well as the limited variety of nanomotors currently available to move in the tumor microenvironment, this kind of nanomotor may provide a competitive candidate for the active drug delivery system of cancer treatment.

Automated summary

The destruction of tumor metabolism symbiosis is an attractive cancer treatment method that targets tumor cells with little harm to normal cells. The proposed zero-waste zwitterion-based hydrogen sulfide (H2S)-driven nanomotor shows promising potential in inducing acidosis of tumor cells and inhibiting tumor growth through a synergistic effect in the tumor microenvironment. This nanomotor may offer a competitive candidate for active drug delivery systems in cancer treatment due to its good biosafety and limited variety of available nanomotors for tumor microenvironment movement.