Biodegradable nanoplatform upregulates tumor microenvironment acidity for enhanced cancer therapy via synergistic induction of apoptosis, ferroptosis, and anti-angiogenesis

Chemodynamic therapy of cancer is limited by insufficient endogenous H(2)O(2) generation and acidity in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Herein, we developed a biodegradable theranostic platform (pLMOFePt-TGO) involving composite of dendritic organosilica and FePt alloy, loaded with tamoxifen (TAM) and glucose oxidase (GOx), and encapsulated by platelet-derived growth factor-B (PDGFB)-labeled liposomes, that effectively uses the synergy among chemotherapy, enhanced chemodynamic therapy (CDT), and anti-angiogenesis. The increased concentration of glutathione (GSH) present in the cancer cells induces the disintegration of pLMOFePt-TGO, releasing FePt, GOx, and TAM. The synergistic action of GOx and TAM significantly enhanced the acidity and H(2)O(2) level in the TME by aerobiotic glucose consumption and hypoxic glycolysis pathways, respectively. The combined effect of GSH depletion, acidity enhancement, and H(2)O(2) supplementation dramatically promotes the Fenton-catalytic behavior of FePt alloys, which, in combination with tumor starvation caused by GOx and TAM-mediated chemotherapy, significantly increases the anticancer efficacy of this treatment. In addition, T(2)-shortening caused by FePt alloys released in TME significantly enhances contrast in the MRI signal of tumor, enabling a more accurate diagnosis. Results of in vitro and in vivo experiments suggest that pLMOFePt-TGO can effectively suppress tumor growth and angiogenesis, thus providing an exciting potential strategy for developing satisfactory tumor theranostics. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12951-023-01814-5.