Mitochondria-mediated self-cycling nanoreactor enabling uninterrupted oxidative damage for enhanced chemodynamic therapy

Abstract

Chemodynamic therapy (CDT), which employs intracellular H₂O₂ to produce toxic hydroxyl radicals to kill cancer cells, has received great attention due to its specificity to tumors. However, the relatively insufficient endogenous H₂O₂ and the short-lifetime and limited diffusion distance of •OH compromise the therapeutic efficacy of CDT. Mitochondria, which play crucial roles in oncogenesis, are highly vulnerable to elevated oxidative stress. Herein, we constructed a mitochondria-mediated self-cycling system to achieve high dose of •OH production through continuous H₂O₂ supply. Cinnamaldehyde (CA), which can elevate H₂O₂ level in the mitochondria, was loaded in Cu(II)-containing metal organic framework (MOF), termed as HKUST-1. After actively targeting mitochondria, the intrinsic H₂O₂ in mitochondria of cancer cells could induce degradation of MOF, releasing the initial free CA. The released CA further triggered the upregulation of endogenous H₂O₂, resulting in the subsequent adequate release of CA and the final burst growth of H₂O₂. The cycle process greatly promoted the Fenton-like reaction between Cu²⁺ and H₂O₂ and induced long-term high oxidative stress, achieving enhanced chemodynamic therapy. In a word, we put forward an efficient strategy for enhanced chemodynamic therapy.

Keywords: Chemodynamic therapy; Endogenous H(2)O(2); Metal organic framework; Mitochondria; Self-cycling.