<i>In Situ</i> Formed Z-Scheme Graphdiyne Heterojunction Realizes NIR-Photocatalytic Oxygen Evolution and Selective Radiosensitization for Hypoxic Tumors.

Wang, Dongmei; Liao, You; Yan, Haili; Zhu, Shuang; Liu, Yunpeng; Li, Jian; Wang, Xue; Guo, Xihong et al. · ACS Nano · 2022

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Photon radiotherapy is a common tool in the armory against tumors, but it is limited by hypoxia-related radioresistance of tumors and radiotoxicity to normal tissues. Here, we constructed a spatiotemporally controlled synergistic therapy platform based on the heterostructured CuO@Graphdiyne (CuO@GDY) nanocatalyst for simultaneously addressing the two key problems above in radiotherapy. First, the <i>in situ</i> formed Z-scheme CuO@GDY heterojunction performs highly efficient and controlled photocatalytic O<sub>2</sub> evolution upon near-infrared (NIR) laser stimulation for tumor hypoxia alleviation. Subsequently, the CuO@GDY nanocatalyst with X-ray-stimulated Cu<sup>+</sup> active sites can accelerate Fenton-like catalysis of ·OH production by responding to endogenous H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> for the selective killing of tumor cells rather than normal cells. In this way, the sequential combination of NIR-triggered photocatalytic O<sub>2</sub> production and X-ray-accelerated Fenton-like reaction can lead to a comprehensive radiosensitization. Overall, this synergism underscores a controllable and precise therapy modality for simultaneously unlocking the hypoxia and non-selectivity in radiotherapy.

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