Recently, Dr. Ling Mei, a distinguished associate researcher from the College of Pharmacy/Chengdu University (CDU), and her laboratory team collaborated with Korea University's laboratory in South Korea to publish a research paper in an internationally renowned top academic journal Biomaterials (ranked in Tier 1 by CAS, IF=12.8) titled “Self-Propelling Intelligent Nanomotor: A Dual-Action Photothermal and Starvation Strategy for Targeted Deep Tumor Destruction”. The first authors of the paper are Dr. Ling Mei (CDU), Qihang Ding (Korea University) and Yuxin Xie (2021 graduate student of the College of Pharmacy/CDU). The corresponding authors of the paper include associate researcher Yibin Zhang (CDU), Professor Shuai Zhang (Harbin Medical University), and Academician Jong Seung Kim (Korea University). Chengdu university is credited as the primary affiliation for this achievement.
Delivering nanoparticles to deep tumor tissues while maintaining high therapeutic efficacy and minimizing damage to surrounding tissues has long posed a significant challenge. To address this, the authors have developed innovative self-propelling bowl-shaped nanomotors MSLA@GOx-PDA composed of mesoporous silica loaded with L-arginine and polydopamine, along with glucose oxidase (GOx). These nanomotors facilitate the generation of hydrogen peroxide through GOx-catalyzed glucose oxidation, thereby initiating nitric oxide production from L-arginine. This dual mechanism equips MSLA@GOx-PDA with the robust motility required for deep tumor tissue penetration while depleting essential nutrients necessary for tumor growth, consequently impeding tumor progression. In addition, near-infrared lasers have the significant advantage of being depth-penetrating and non-invasive, allowing real-time fluorescence imaging and guiding dopamine-mediated mild photothermal therapy. Notably, starvation therapy depletes intracellular adenosine triphosphate and inhibits the synthesis of heat shock proteins, thus overcoming the Achilles' heel of mild photothermal therapy and significantly enhancing the efficacy of this therapy with encouraging synergistic anti-tumour effects. Overall, the integration of biochemical and optics strategies in this nanomotor platform represents a significant advancement in deep-tissue tumor therapy. It has substantial clinical translational value and is expected to have a transformative impact on future cancer treatments.
As a journal included in the Nature Index and one top journal among the Tier 1 in the Chinese Academy of Science Journal Ranking System, Biomaterials is published by Elsevier BV, one of the largest and oldest comprehensive scientific publishers in the world, with a current impact factor of 12.8. The journal spans several academic disciplines, including medicine, chemistry, life science, physics, engineering, environmental science, and materials science. It primarily publishes research findings in the fundamental science and clinical applications of biomedical materials, enjoying substantial academic recognition.
Editor: Xiuling Min Executive Editor: Jia Lyu
