Synergistic assembly of gold and copper-iron oxide nanocatalysts to promote the simultaneous depletion of glucose and glutathione

Abstract

Glucose and glutathione (GSH) are key biomolecules for the regulation and growth of tumor cells. The use of inorganic nanocatalysts in biomedicine to target and deplete such specific molecules represents a novel and promising strategy against cancer. In this work, we present a ternary assembled nanohybrid based on Au and CuFe2O4 with the capability to simultaneously deplete glucose and GSH and generate reactive oxidative species (ROS) in a cascade process. We describe an example of a synergistic heterogeneous nanoarchitecture able to maintain the glucose oxidase-like activity of Au while preventing its deactivation in the presence of GSH. Au sites remain active due to the rapid response of the Cu–Fe co-catalyst to deplete GSH levels. This example of hybrid heterostructure represents an appealing alternative with dual-activity within the tumor microenvironment (TME) for potential anticancer therapy.