CO/chemosensitization/antiangiogenesis synergistic therapy with H2O2-responsive diselenide-containing polymer

Carbon monoxide (CO) is increasingly being accepted as a cytoprotective and homeostatic molecule with important signalling capabilities in physiological and pathophysiological situations. The endogenous production of CO occurs through the activity of constitutive (haem oxygenase 2) and inducible (haem oxygenase 1) haem oxygenases, enzymes that are responsible for the catabolism of haem. Through the generation of its products, which in addition to CO includes the bile pigments biliverdin, bilirubin and ferrous iron, the haem oxygenase 1 system also has an obligatory role in the regulation of the stress response and in cell adaptation to injury. This Review provides an overview of the physiology of CO, summarizes the effects of CO gas and CO-releasing molecules in preclinical animal models of cardiovascular disease, inflammatory disorders and organ transplantation, and discusses the development and therapeutic options for the exploitation of this simple gaseous molecule.

Metallic glasses and cancer theranostics are emerging fields that do not seem to be related to each other. Herein, we report the facile synthesis of amorphous iron nanoparticles (AFeNPs) and their superior physicochemical properties compared to their crystalline counterpart, iron nanocrystals (FeNCs). The AFeNPs can be used for cancer theranostics by inducing a Fenton reaction in the tumor by taking advantage of the mild acidity and the overproduced H2 O2 in a tumor microenvironment: Ionization of the AFeNPs enables on-demand ferrous ion release in the tumor, and subsequent H2 O2 disproportionation leads to efficient (.)OH generation. The endogenous stimuli-responsive (.)OH generation in the presence AFeNPs enables a highly specific cancer therapy without the need for external energy input.