Fe-HCOF-PEG As a Hypoxia-Tolerant Photosensitizer to Trigger Ferroptosis and Enhance ROS-Based Cancer Therapy

Overview

Journal Int J Nanomedicine

Publisher Dove Medical Press

Specialty Biotechnology

Date 2024 Oct 14

PMID 39399828

Authors

Hui Peng

Qian Jiang

Wenhao Mao

Zhonglan Hu

Qi Wang

Zhuo Yu

Li Zhang

Xinyan Wang

Chunbo Zhuang

Jia Mai

Zhiyuan Wang

Ting Sun

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: The hypoxic tumor microenvironment and single mechanisms severely limit the photodynamic therapy (PDT) efficiency of covalent organic framework (COF) nanoparticles in cancer treatment.

Purpose: Here, we propose an iron-loaded, hydrophilic 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[methoxy(polyethylene glycol)-2000] (DSPE-PEG2000)-modified hollow covalent organic framework (HCOF), Fe-HCOF-PEG, for use in hypoxic PDT and ferroptosis therapy owing to its type I and II photodynamic ability and iron nanoparticle loading property.

Results: Fe-HCOF-PEG nanoparticles (Fe-HCOFs-PEG) with semiconducting polymers and microporous skeletons allow efficient photophysical properties. Moreover, the iron nanoparticles on Fe-HCOF-PEG caused ferroptosis and further enhanced tumor elimination under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. DSPE-PEG endowed Fe-HCOF-PEG with hydrophilicity, allowing it to circulate and accumulate in organs rich in blood supply, especially tumors. 808 nm NIR activated Fe-HCOF-PEG aggregated in tumors and significantly inhibited tumor growth under hypoxia.

Conclusion: To our knowledge, Fe-HCOF-PEG is the leading combination of type I/II PDT and ferroptosis. The strong antitumor effects of this nanomaterial suggest prospects for clinical translation as a tumor nanotherapy drug.

Citing Articles

Advances in understanding ferroptosis mechanisms and their impact on immune cell regulation and tumour immunotherapy.

Zhu Z, Wu X, Zhang J, Zhu M, Tian M, Zhao P Discov Oncol. 2025; 16(1):153.

PMID: 39930297 PMC: 11811334. DOI: 10.1007/s12672-025-01911-x.

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