Breakthrough in Nanoparticle-Based Cancer Therapy

Researchers from Wuhan University of Technology have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of nanotechnology, developing a multifunctional nanorobot that can penetrate deep into tumor tissues and selectively target cancer cells. The nanorobot, called UCGPJNRs, uses a novel combination of enzymes to enhance its internalization efficiency and selectively release toxic compounds in the tumor microenvironment.

Key Takeaways:

• The UCGPJNRs can autonomously move in tumor microenvironment (TME) using endogenous urea as a fuel, enabling penetration of up to 0.55 mm into tumor tissues, 5.5-fold deeper than previous counterparts.
• The nanorobots perform motion-enhanced biotin receptor-mediated endocytosis and endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi apparatus pathway-mediated exocytosis, improving internalization efficiency of tumor cells.
• UCGPJNRs release NH when moving, producing selective toxicity against tumor cells in hypoxic TME.
• The nanorobots enhance glucose consumption by three times due to the motion-accelerated GOx/CAT cascade reaction, disrupting tumor cell metabolism on a large area.
• The research provides a plausible strategy to overcome limitations in tumor treatment by anchoring multiple bioenzymes on one nanoparticle.

Statistics:

• The UCGPJNRs can penetrate up to 0.55 mm into tumor tissues, 5.5-fold deeper than previous counterparts.
• The nanorobots enhance glucose consumption by three times due to the motion-accelerated GOx/CAT cascade reaction.
• The in vivo tumor growth inhibition rate is significantly amplified through the synergistic effect of the UCGPJNRs.

Sources:

• Trienzyme-in-One Nanoparticle Making Multifunctional Synergistic Nanorobot for Tumor Therapy. Small Methods, [no date specified].
• NewsRx. Wuhan University of Technology Reports Findings in Nanoparticles (Trienzyme-in-One Nanoparticle Making Multifunctional Synergistic Nanorobot for Tumor Therapy). Nanotechnology Weekly. May 26, 2025; p 1490.