A multimodal strategy of Fe3O4@ZIF-8/GOx@MnO2 hybrid nanozyme via TME modulation for tumor therapy

Weak acidity (6.5-6.9) and limited H2O2 level in the tumor microenvironment (TME) usually impact the therapeutic effect of chemodynamic therapy (CDT) for cancer. A Specific TME promotes the formation of an immunosuppressive microenvironment and results in high rate of recurrence and metastasis of cancer. Fe3O4@ZIF-8/GOx@MnO2 multi-layer core shell nanostructure was constructed as a hybrid nanozyme. After magnetic targeting of the tumor site, the outermost MnO2 shell catalyzed H2O2 in TME to produce O-2 and was broken due to the reaction with glutathione. Due to the acid response, the ZIF-8 layer would crack and release glucose oxidase (GOx) and Fe3O4. The generated O-2 was utilized by GOx in starvation therapy to consume glucose and produce H2O2 and gluconic acid. The Fenton reaction efficiency of Fe(ii) was improved by the increased H2O2 concentration and the enhanced acidity in TME. At the same time, the intrinsic photothermal effect of Fe3O4 upon 808 nm laser irradiation promoted the activity of MnO2 and GOx as oxidase, and Fe(ii) as catalase-like, and ablated the primary tumor. Moreover, the hybrid nanozyme can facilitate the transformation of M2-type macrophages to M1-type, and strong systemic antitumor immune effect was induced. A synergy of multiple therapeutic modes including starvation therapy, CDT, photothermal therapy (PTT), and immunotherapy can be realized in the hybrid nanozyme for tumor therapy.

Automated summary

A new hybrid nanozyme was studied, which can improve the H2O2 concentration and acidity in the tumor microenvironment through magnetic targeting and photothermal effect, thus realizing multiple therapeutic modes for tumor therapy.