Weizmann Group

Despite all the efforts to develop an ideal technology for cancer treatment, vital parameters, such as reducing the adverse effects and improving treatment efficiency, still require significant improvement. For this purpose, the rational design of a smart stimuli-responsive and fully biodegradable delivery system is of great significance. By using ZIF-8 nanoparticles as a sacrificial template, black phosphorous quantum dots (BPQDs) and S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) were successfully encapsulated into HKUST-1@MIL-100. In cancerous cells, the high glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels trigger the sequential reaction to rebuild the redox equilibrium and stimulate the continuous production of NO and hydroxyl radicals. As a result, the MOFs serve not only as carriers and contrast agents but also as the catalysts for the generation of NO and ·OH, which results in maximum atomic efficiency. Finally, the nanosystem completely degrades into small molecules and is excreted from the body.