MnO2-Based Nanomotors with Active Fenton-like Mn2+ Delivery for Enhanced Chemodynamic Therapy

Chemodynamic therapy (CDT) is an emerging strategy for cancer treatment based on Fenton chemistry, which can convert endogenous H2O2 into toxic center dot OH. However, the limited endocytosis of passive CDT nanoagents with low penetrating capability resulted in unsatisfactory anticancer efficacy. Herein, we propose the successful fabrication of a self-propelled biodegradable nanomotor system based on hollow MnO2 nanoparticles with catalytic activity for active Fenton-like Mn2+ delivery and enhanced CDT. Compared with the passive counterparts, the significantly improved penetration of nanomotors with enhanced diffusion is demonstrated in both the 2D cell culture system and 3D tumor multicellular spheroids. After the intracellular uptake of nanomotors, toxic Fenton-like Mn2+ is massively produced by consuming overexpressed intracellular glutathione (GSH), which has a strong scavenging effect on center dot OH, thereby leading to enhanced cancer CDT. The as-developed MnO2-based nanomotor system with enhanced penetration and endogenous GSH scavenging capability shows much promise as a potential platform for cancer treatment in the near future.

Automated summary

A novel self-propelled biodegradable nanomotor system based on MnO2 nanoparticles was successfully fabricated, which actively delivers Fenton-like Mn2+ and enhances cancer chemodynamic therapy by improving penetration and GSH scavenging capability within cells. This system shows great promise as a potential platform for cancer treatment in the future.