Cancer cell membrane targeting and red light-triggered carbon monoxide (CO) release for enhanced chemotherapy

Chemotherapy assisted by carbon monoxide (CO) gas therapy is an emerging powerful cancer therapeutic modality. However, the effective delivery and controlled release of CO in tumor cells remain a challenge. Herein, a cell membrane bionic nano delivery system (RBC-H@DOX/3-HF@MSN, termed as RHM) was designed to selectively accumulate in tumors and generate CO in situ upon red light irradiation for the combination of chemotherapy and gas therapy. CO significantly improves the therapeutic effect of DOX from 29.0% to 82.4%.

Automated summary

A cell membrane bionic nano delivery system was designed to selectively accumulate in tumors and generate CO upon red light irradiation, significantly improving the therapeutic effect of the chemotherapy drug DOX.