One-Pot Rapid Synthesis of Cu2+-Doped GOD@MOF to Amplify the Antitumor Efficacy of Chemodynamic Therapy

Chemodynamic therapy (CDT) relies on the transformation of intracellular hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to hydroxyl radicals (·OH) with higher toxicity under the catalysis of Fenton/Fenton-like reagents, which amplifies the oxidative stress and induces significant cellular apoptosis. However, the CDT efficacy is generally limited by the overexpressed GSH and insufficient endogenous H2O2 in tumors. Co-delivery of Cu2+ and glucose oxidase (GOD) can lead to a Cu2+/Cu+ circulation to realize GSH depletion and amplify the Fenton-like reaction. pH-responsive metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are the optical choice to deliver Fenton/Fenton-like ions to tumors. However, considering that the aqueous condition is requisite for GOD encapsulation, it is challenging to abundantly dope Cu2+ in ZIF-8 MOF nanoparticles in aqueous conditions due to the ease of precipitation and enlarged crystal size. In this work, a robust one-pot biomimetic mineralization method using excessive ligand precursors in aqueous conditions is developed to synthesize GOD@Cu-ZIF-8. Copper ions abundantly doped to the GOD@Cu-ZIF-8 can eliminate GSH to produce Cu+, which is further proceeded to the Fenton-like reaction in the presence of GOD-catalyzed H2O2. Through breaking the tumor microenvironment homeostasis and producing an enhanced CDT effect, the promising antitumor capability of GOD@Cu-ZIF-8 was evidenced by the experiments both in vitro and in vivo.