Tumor microenvironment-responsive multifunctional nanoplatform based on MnFe2O4-PEG for enhanced magnetic resonance imaging-guided hypoxic cancer radiotherapy

J Mater Chem B. 2021 Feb 14;9(6):1625-1637. doi: 10.1039/d0tb02631j. Epub 2021 Jan 21.

Abstract

Radiotherapy occupies an essential position in curing and palliating a wide range of solid tumors based on DNA damage responses to eradicate cancer cells. However, the tumor microenvironment generally exhibits the characteristics of hypoxia and glutathione overexpression, which play a critical role in radioresistance, to prevent irreparable breaks to DNA and necrocytosis of cancer cells. Herein, polyethylene glycol (PEG) functionalized manganese ferrite nanoparticles (MnFe2O4-PEG) are designed to enable self-sufficiency of oxygen by continuously catalyzing the decomposition of endogenous hydrogen peroxide. Simultaneously, the nano-platform can consume GSH to reduce the loss of reactive oxygen species in radiotherapy and achieve better therapeutic effects at the cellular and animal levels. In addition, the MnFe2O4-PEG could act as an optimal T1- and T2-weighted contrast medium for tumor-specific magnetic resonance imaging. This work proposes a systematically administered radiosensitizer that can selectively reside in tumor sites via the enhanced permeability and retention effect to relieve hypoxia and reduce GSH concentration, combined with dual-mode magnetic resonance imaging, achieving precise and effective image-guided tumor therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Breast Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Female
  • Ferric Compounds / chemistry
  • Ferric Compounds / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / radiotherapy
  • Manganese Compounds / chemistry
  • Manganese Compounds / pharmacology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Particle Size
  • Photoacoustic Techniques
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry
  • Polyethylene Glycols / pharmacology*
  • Surface Properties
  • Tumor Hypoxia / drug effects*
  • Tumor Microenvironment / drug effects

Substances

  • Ferric Compounds
  • Manganese Compounds
  • manganese ferrite
  • Polyethylene Glycols