Multi-Enzymatic Cascade Catalysis in Photodynamic Nanozymes for Augmenting Radiotherapy of Breast Cancer.

Abstract

Overcoming resistance to radiotherapy remains a significant challenge in breast cancer management. A one-step coordinated synthesis of BODIPY-integrated photodynamic nanozymes (FZBNPs) that facilitate an orthogonal catalytic cascade for radiotherapy potentiation is presented. The engineered FZBNPs simultaneously alleviate tumor hypoxia through catalase-mimetic oxygen (O₂) generation and amplify reactive oxygen species (ROS) production via peroxidase-like activity, synergizing with BODIPY-mediated singlet oxygen (¹O₂) generation under 660 nm light irradiation. Crucially, FZBNPs deplete intracellular glutathione (GSH) and trigger ferroptosis through lipid peroxidation (LPO) accumulation, directly countering radiotherapy resistance. In vivo validation revealed that the FZBNPs-driven multi-enzymatic cascades achieved near-complete tumor ablation in breast cancer models during radiotherapy. This work establishes a therapeutic paradigm that integrates oxygen modulation, ROS amplification, redox homeostasis disruption, and ferroptosis induction, offering a conceptual basis for the application of enzyme-mimetic nanoplatforms in precision radiation oncology.