Prof. Hu Junqing, dean of College of Health Science and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen Technology University (SZTU), published an article titled “A synergistic chemodynamic–photodynamic-photothermal therapy platform based on biodegradable Ce-doped MoO_x nanoparticles” in Nanoscale (IF: 8.307) on September 7, together with Assistant Prof. Ha Enna as co-corresponding authors. Doctoral student Li Danyang from College of Health Science and Environmental Engineering is the first author and SZTU is the first affiliation. The full text of the article can be found at: https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2022/NR/D2NR03479D.

Schematic illustration of Ce-doped MoO_x NPs for synergistic CDT/PDT/PTT antitumor therapy [Photo/https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2022/NR/D2NR03479D]

Cancer is currently one of the critical illnesses which is a threat to human beings owing to malignant proliferation by tumor cells. The tumor microenvironment exhibits several distinctive features from normal physiological tissue, including a slightly acidic environment, high concentration of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), lack of oxygen, and overexpression of glutathione (GSH) and enzymes. Although these features impact or limit cancer treatments, they provide possibilities for cancer diagnosis and new therapeutic strategies. The researchers prepared Ce-doped MoO_x (CMO) nanomaterials based on the pH-responsive behavior of MoO_x and its localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). The obtained CMO nanomaterials show high catalytic activities and high absorption in the NIR II regime. Moreover, due to the doping of Ce element, the consumption of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and glutathione (GSH) is boosted. Under NIR II laser irradiation, the designed CMO nanocatalysts induce metabolism disruption and mitochondrial damage in the tumor cells. These properties make CMO nanomaterials ideal biodegradable nanotheranostic agents for synergistic chemodynamic–photodynamic–photothermal antitumor therapy.

Nanoscale is a high-impact international journal, publishing high-quality research across physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, materials, energy/environment, information technology, detection science, healthcare and drug discovery, and electronics. Launched in 2009, Nanoscale is a collaborative venture between the Royal Society of Chemistry Publishing and the National Center for Nanoscience and Technology (NCNST), the latter of which is a leading nanoscience research center located in Beijing, China.

Drafted by Daisy（姚琦）/ International Cooperation & Student Affairs Office

Revised by International Cooperation & Student Affairs Office

Edited by International Cooperation & Student Affairs Office