Hierarchically decorated magnetic nanoparticles amplify the oxidative stress and promote the chemodynamic/magnetic hyperthermia/immune therapy

Abstract

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are promising in tumor treatments due to their capacity for magnetic hyperthermia therapy (MHT), chemodynamic therapy (CDT), and immuno-related therapies, but still suffer from unsatisfactory tumor inhibition in the clinic. Insufficient hydrogen peroxide supply, glutathione-induced resistance, and high-density extracellular matrix (ECM) are the barriers. Herein, we hierarchically decorated MNPs with disulfide bonds (S-S), dendritic L-arginine (R), and glucose oxidase (GOx) to form a nanosystem (MNPs-SS-R-GOx). Its outer GOx layer not only enhanced the H2O2 supply to produce .OH by Fenton reaction, but also generated stronger oxidants (ONOO−) together with the interfaced R layer. The inner S-S layer consumed glutathione to interdict its reaction with oxidants, thus enhancing CDT effects. Importantly, the generated ONOO− tripled the MMP-9 expression to induce ECM degradation, enabling much deeper penetration of MNPs and benefiting CDT, MHT, and immunotherapy. Finally, the MNPs-SS-R-GOx demonstrated a remarkable 91.7% tumor inhibition in vivo. Statement of significanceMagnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are a promising tumor therapeutic agent but with limited effectiveness. Our hierarchical MNP design features disulfide bonds (S-S), dendritic L-arginine (R), and glucose oxidase (GOx), which boosts H2O2 supply for ·OH generation in Fenton reactions, produces potent ONOO−, and enhances chemodynamic therapy via glutathione consumption. Moreover, the ONOO− facilitates the upregulation of matrix metalloprotein expression beneficial for extracellular matrix degradation, which in turn enhances the penetration of MNPs and benefits the antitumor CDT/MHT/immuno-related therapy. In vivo experiments have demonstrated an impressive 91.7% inhibition of tumor growth. This hierarchical design offers groundbreaking insights for further advancements in MNP-based tumor therapy. Its implications extend to a broader audience, encompassing those interested in material science, biology, oncology, and beyond.