Dual key co-activated nanoplatform for switchable MRI monitoring accurate ferroptosis-based synergistic therapy

Ferroptosis is of great significance for disease treatment and drug design because of its effective damage to drug-resistant cells. However, ferroptosis-based therapy presents challenges of low efficiency and low specificity, as well as the lack of reliable imaging technology for monitoring the therapeutic process. Herein, we have developed a tumor-microenvironment-tailored and co-activated catalytic nanoplatform (CACN) that was loaded with doxorubicin (Dox) molecules. Notably, the catalytic activity of CACN could be turned on for the specific ferroptosis treatment of cancer cells or tumors only upon co-activation by dual stimuli of ATP and slight acidity in the tumor microenvironment with the logic operation. Moreover, ATP-triggered disassembly of CACN led to the switch-able MRI from negative to positive contrast, guaranteeing the sensitivity magnitude of MRI imaging. Furthermore, the switchable MRI signal is correlated with reactive oxygen species generation and Dox release, which is beneficial for monitoring the therapeutic process in combination with fluorescence imaging.

Automated summary

A tumor-microenvironment-targeted and co-activated catalytic nanoplatform (CACN) has been developed for specific ferroptosis treatment of cancer cells or tumors. The catalytic activity of CACN can be turned on by dual stimuli of ATP and slight acidity in the tumor microenvironment. The switchable MRI signal of CACN is correlated with reactive oxygen species generation and drug release, allowing for monitoring the therapeutic process.