The nanocapsules with dual-targeting of cell and mitochondrial function for enhanced hypoxia-activated drug therapy

Abstract

This cell and mitochondria dual-targeting nanocapsule could exacerbate tumor hypoxia to activate hypoxia-activatable drug tirapazamine producing benzotriazinyl radicals and • OH, which is capable of killing tumor cells by breaking DNA. In addition, mitochondrial dysfunction can result from the accumulation of •OH. This chain reaction that triggers a surge in ROS can effectively increase the therapeutic efficiency.