Chemical-NIR dual-powered CuS/Pt nanomotors for tumor hypoxia modulation, deep tumor penetration and augmented synergistic phototherapy

The complex tumor microenvironment (TME) with the characteristics of severe hypoxia, enriched hydro-gen peroxide (H2O2) and dense nature significantly restricted the therapeutic efficacy of nanomedicine in cancer treatment. Synthetic micro/nanomotors have shown multiple versatility in modulating the abnor-mal TME and overcoming the limited penetration in solid tumor. Herein, we constructed a chemical-NIR dual-propelled nanomotor based on CuS/Pt Janus nanoparticles with IR820 encapsulation for hypoxia alle-viation, deep tumor penetration and augmented synergistic photodynamic (PDT) and photothermal ther-apy (PTT). The deposited Pt effectively catalyzed tumor endogenous H2O2 into oxygen, which extremely relieved the tumor hypoxia state and allowed the chemical propulsion of nanomotors. Under NIR irra-diation, the Janus nanomotors exhibited more obvious movement via efficient photothermal conversion. Such autonomous motion significantly improved the tumoral accumulation of nanomotors and facilitated much deeper penetration inside tumor in vivo. In addition, enriched oxygen also promoted the genera-tion of reactive oxygen species (ROS) for augment of PDT, which achieved satisfied antitumor effect in combination with the PTT treatment. Therefore, this strategy based on CuS/Pt Janus nanomotors would provide an innovative dimension for considerable applications in effective cancer management.(c) 2023 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The editorial office of Journal of Materials Science & Technology.

Automated summary

In this study, a chemical-NIR dual-propelled nanomotor based on CuS/Pt Janus nanoparticles was developed, which showed multiple functionalities in alleviating hypoxia, penetrating deep into tumor tissues, and enhancing photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT). The Pt deposited on the nanoparticles effectively catalyzed tumor H2O2 into oxygen, relieving tumor hypoxia and enabling the chemical propulsion of nanomotors. Under NIR irradiation, the Janus nanomotors exhibited enhanced movement via efficient photothermal conversion. This autonomous motion significantly improved the accumulation and penetration of nanomotors inside tumors. Additionally, the enriched oxygen promoted the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), enhancing the efficacy of PDT in combination with PTT. Therefore, this strategy based on CuS/Pt Janus nanomotors has great potential in effective cancer management.