Search

Increasing the content of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with the assistance of nanoformulations in cancer cells via the Fenton reaction is considered an effective method to treat cancer. However, the efficiency of the Fenton reaction is affected by the level of H 2 O 2 , the selection of iron ions in different nanoformulations, etc. Herein, we use Fe III -tannic acid (Fe III TA) nanocomposites as the carrier to deliver glucose oxidase (GOD) which can solve the problem of insufficient endogenous H 2 O 2 by catalytically converting the glucose. In comparison with traditional Fe 2+ /Fe 3+ , Fe III TA nanocomposites perform higher catalytic activity in converting H 2 O 2 to high toxic hydroxyl radicals (·OH) due to the TA-mediated reduction of Fe 3+ . So, the integration of GOD and TA in the construction of nanocomposites significantly enhances the efficiency of the Fenton reaction. In vitro experiments show that ·OH produced by GOD-Fe III TA nanocomposites can not only achieve a good anticancer effect at a low concentration but also promote degradability of the nanocomposites. When it is only 1.08 μg · ml -1 , the cell apoptosis rate has reached 76.91%. In vivo experiments further demonstrate that GOD-Fe III TA nanocomposites can significantly inhibit tumor growth. So this work lays a good foundation for Fenton reaction-based cancer treatment.

Highlights • Ferroptosis is a new form of nonapoptotic programmed cell death. • Molecular mechanisms and pathways for ferroptosis regulation are presented. • Nanomaterials as inducers of ferroptosis for cancer specific therapy are reviewed. • System Xc−, GPX4 and iron metabolism are the major regulation targets of ferroptosis. Abstract Ferroptosis is a new form of nonapoptotic programmed cell death characterized by iron-dependent accumulation of lipid hydroperoxides to lethal levels. An increasing number of studies have in recent years revealed close relationships between ferroptosis and nanomedicine, which has been regarded as a new strategy for developing nanomaterial-based therapeutic agents for highly effective therapy of various cancers. In this review, the molecular mechanisms and pathways for ferroptosis regulation were first presented; then, various nanomaterials that induce ferroptosis for cancer specific therapy were systematically discussed; finally, the current challenges and constructive perspectives in this field were provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]