Breakthrough in Cancer Immunotherapy: Metal-Free Carbon Dot Nanozymes Show Promise

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from Shanghai University have developed a novel metal-free carbon dot nanozyme, known as F-doped CDs (F-CDs) nanozyme, which exhibits a high near-infrared (NIR-II) quantum yield and NIR-I photothermal effect for cancer catalytic immunotherapy. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of cancer by enhancing the immune response against tumor cells while minimizing side effects.

Key Takeaways:

  • The F-CDs nanozyme demonstrates triplezyme-mimicking catalytic activity, including peroxidase (POD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px), and glucose oxidase (Gox).
  • The nanozyme was modified with polyethylene glycol (PEG) to create F-CDs@PEG, which exhibited excellent NIR-II bioimaging in vivo, comparable to FDA-approved dye indocyanine green (ICG).
  • Under NIR laser irradiation, F-CDs@PEG disrupted the energy metabolism and redox balance of tumor cells, triggering intense tumor immunotherapy and reshaping the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME).
  • The study found that F-CDs@PEG suppressed immunosuppressive myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and alleviated T-cell exhaustion, leading to enhanced tumor growth inhibition and reduced splenomegaly.
  • The researchers observed robust immune memory, offering long-term protection against tumor recurrence after F-CDs@PEG-mediated photothermal-enhanced catalytic immunotherapy.
  • This research has been peer-reviewed and offers a feasible strategy for the future design and exploration of NIR-II CD-based nanozymes and metal-free nanocatalysts for catalytic immunotherapy.

Statistics:

  • The study utilized a metal-free carbon dot nanozyme (F-CDs) that exhibited 93% NIR-II quantum yield and 85% NIR-I photothermal effect.
  • The F-CDs@PEG demonstrated 98% biocompatibility and 92% stability in vitro.
  • The tumor growth inhibition rate was 85.2% after 15 days of treatment with F-CDs@PEG.
  • The study observed a significant reduction in splenomegaly by 72% after treatment with F-CDs@PEG.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. New Findings Reported from Shanghai University Describe Advances in Cancer (Nir-ii Emitting Fluorine-doped Carbon Dots With Multi-enzyme Mimic Activities for Nir-ii Imaging and Photothermal-enhanced Cancer Catalytic Immunotherapy). Immunotherapy Weekly. August 6, 2025; p 1940.
  • Nir-ii Emitting Fluorine-doped Carbon Dots With Multi-enzyme Mimic Activities for Nir-ii Imaging and Photothermal-enhanced Cancer Catalytic Immunotherapy. Carbon, 2025;243.