Nanoplatforms with synergistic redox cycles and rich defects for activatable image-guided tumor-specific therapy

Multifunctional nanoplatforms for the early diagnosis and treatment of deep-seated tumors with high specificity are particularly desirable but face many challenges. Herein, nanoplatforms containing copper/manganese chalcogenide nanoflowers (CMC NFs) and F-19 probes have been developed, which exhibit enhanced therapeutic efficiency and activatable F-19 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) capability within a tumor microenvironment (TME). CMC NFs containing synergistic redox pairs (Cu-ox/Cu-red, Mn-ox/Mn-red) and rich defects acted as integrated cascade enzyme mimics to effectively destroy the redox homeostasis of tumors via generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and GSH depletion. In addition, the F-19 MRI signal could be switched on by attenuation of the paramagnetic relaxation enhancement (PRE) effect under TME conditions, affording a TME-activatable (FMRI)-F-19-guided tumor-specific chemodynamic therapeutic. These nanoplatforms could simultaneously boost therapeutic efficacy and regulate signal output, exhibiting significant potential for in vivo drug tracking and deep-seated tumor diagnosis and treatment.

Automated summary

In this study, a nanoplatform consisting of CMC NFs and F-19 probes has been developed, which can enhance therapeutic efficiency and activate F-19 MRI capability within the tumor microenvironment. The nanoplatforms can effectively disrupt redox homeostasis and perform tumor-specific chemodynamic therapy, offering great potential for deep-seated tumor diagnosis and treatment.