Nanocapsules with dual-targeting of cell and mitochondria functions for enhanced hypoxia-activated drug therapy

Abstract

The cell and mitochondria dual-targeting nanocapsules reported here could exacerbate tumor hypoxia to activate a hypoxia-activated drug, tirapazamine, producing benzotriazinyl radicals and ˙OH, which are capable of killing tumor cells via DNA damage. In addition, mitochondrial dysfunction can result from the accumulation of ˙OH. This chain reaction triggers a surge in ROS that can effectively increase the therapeutic efficiency of the nanocapsules.