Copper arsenite-complexed Fenton-like nanoparticles as oxidative stress-amplifying anticancer agents

Giuk Lee, Chan Woo Kim, Jeong Ryul Choi, Kyung Hyun Min, Hong Jae Lee, Kyu Hwan Kwack, Hyeon Woo Lee, Jae Hyung Lee, Seo Young Jeong, Kiyuk Chang, Sang Cheon Lee

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We report copper(II) arsenite (CuAS)-integrated polymer micelles (CuAS-PMs) as a new class of Fenton-like catalytic nanosystem that can display reactive oxygen species (ROS)-manipulating anticancer therapeutic activity. CuAS-PMs were fabricated through metal-catechol chelation-based formation of the CuAS complex on the core domain of poly (ethylene glycol)-b-poly(3,4-dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine) (PEG-PDOPA) copolymer micelles. CuAS-PMs maintained structural robustness under serum conditions. The insoluble state of the CuAS complex was effectively retained at physiological pH, whereas, at endosomal pH, the CuAS complex was ionized to release arsenite and cuprous Fenton catalysts (Cu+ ions). Upon endocytosis, CuAS-PMs simultaneously released hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-generating arsenite and Fenton-like reaction-catalyzing Cu+ ions in cancer cells, which synergistically elevated the level of highly cytotoxic hydroxyl radicals (•OH), thereby preferentially killing cancer cells. Animal experiments demonstrated that CuAS-PMs could effectively suppress the growth of solid tumors without systemic in vivo toxicity. The design rationale of CuAS-PMs may provide a promising strategy to develop diverse oxidative stress-amplifying agents with great potential in cancer-specific therapy.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)646-660
Number of pages15
JournalJournal of Controlled Release
Volume341
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2022

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021

Keywords

  • Arsenic trioxide
  • Cancer therapy
  • Fenton reaction
  • Hydroxyl radical
  • Oxidative stress
  • Polymer micelle

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