Protein nanoparticles containing Cu(II) and DOX for efficient chemodynamic therapy via self-generation of H2O2

Chemodynamic therapy (CDT) refers to generating hydroxyl radical (OH) in tumor sites via hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) catalyzed by transition metal ions in cancer cells under acidic environment. However, H2O2 content is not enough for effective CDT, although H2O2 content in cancer cells is higher than that of normal cells. Herein, we synthesized [email protected] NPs (nanoparticles) for effective CDT by providing enhanced content of H2O2 in cancer cells. The results proved Cu2+ in NPs could be reduced to Cu+ by glutathione (GSH) and effectively converted H2O2 to OH. Moreover, the loaded low-dose doxorubicin (DOX) in the NPs could improve the content of H2O2 and resulted in more efficient generation of OH in cancer cells. Thus [email protected] NPs exhibited higher cytotoxicity to cancer cells. This research may provide new ideas for the further studies on more effective Cu(II)-based CDT nanoagents.