Hypoxia-tropic delivery of nanozymes targeting transferrin receptor 1 for nasopharyngeal carcinoma radiotherapy sensitization

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), a malignancy highly prevalent in East and Southeast Asia, is primarily treated with radiotherapy (RT). However, hypoxia-induced radioresistance presents a significant challenge. Nanozymes, nanomaterials with catalase-like activity, have emerged as a promising strategy for radiosensitization by converting elevated hydrogen peroxide in the tumor microenvironment into oxygen. Despite their potential, effectively targeting hypoxic lesions has been difficult. Here, we identify transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) as an upregulated target in NPC, with its expression levels positively correlated with hypoxia. Human heavy-chain ferritin, a specific ligand of TfR1, selectively recognizes…

• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: U23A20686, 81930050, 22121003, 82122037, 82122037, U23A20686
• SP
  Sanming Project of Medicine in Shenzhen

  Award: SZSM202211022
• NK
  National Key Research and Development Program of China

  Award: 2021YFC2102900