Precision Treatment of Colon Cancer Using Doxorubicin-Loaded Metal-Organic-Framework-Coated Magnetic Nanoparticles.
Honglin Jiang, Qing Bao, Tao Yang, Mingying Yang, Chuanbin Mao
Author Information
Honglin Jiang: School of Materials Science & Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310027, China.
Qing Bao: School of Materials Science & Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310027, China.
Tao Yang: School of Materials Science & Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310027, China.
Mingying Yang: Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Bee Resource Utilization and Innovation of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Applied Bioresource Research, College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China. ORCID
Chuanbin Mao: Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China. ORCID
Due to the limited efficacy and evident side effects of traditional chemotherapy drugs attributed to their lack of specificity and selectivity, novel strategies are essential for improving cancer treatment outcomes. Here, we successfully engineered FeO magnetic nanoparticles coated with zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8). The resulting nanocomposite (FeO@ZIF-8) demonstrates efficient adsorption of a substantial amount of Doxorubicin (DOX) due to the porous nature of ZIF-8. The drug-loaded nanoparticles, FeO@ZIF-8/DOX, exhibit significant accumulation at the tumor site in SW620colon-cancer-bearing mice when guided by an external magnetic field. Within the acidic microenvironment of the tumor, the ZIF-8 framework collapses, releasing DOX and effectively inducing tumor cell death, thereby inhibiting cancer progression while not causing undesired side effects, as confirmed by a variety of in vitro and in vivo characterizations. In comparison to free DOX, FeO@ZIF-8/DOX nanoparticles show superior efficacy in colon cancer treatment. Our findings suggest that FeO@ZIF-8 holds promise as a carrier for small-molecule drug adsorption and its ferromagnetic properties provide drug targeting capabilities, thereby enhancing therapeutic effects on tumors at the same drug dosage. With excellent biocompatibility, FeO@ZIF-8 demonstrates potential as a drug carrier in targeted cancer chemotherapy. Our work suggests that a combination of magnetic targeting and acid-responsiveness holds great promise for advancing targeted cancer therapy in precision nanomedicine.
