Advanced cobalt-ferrite layered double hydroxides sandwich-structured nanozymes for ROS-bloomed tumor therapy

Artificial-engineered nanozymes show great promise for improving cancer therapeutic outcomes. Herein, we elaborately designed the advanced cobalt-ferrite layered double hydroxides (Co-Fe LDHs) sandwich-structured architectures that can serve as superior nanozymes with Co/Fe dual catalytic cycles and also be used as nanocarriers for loading Au nanoparticles (NPs) and maleimide (MA) to achieve the “all-in-one” reactive oxygen species (ROS)-bloomed tumor therapeutic strategy. The constructed Co-Fe LDHs@Au@MA nanozymes can not only enhance the oxidative stress in tumors through cascade enzymatic reactions but also disrupt the glutathione supply and further aggravate the tilt of the established redox homeostasis. The Co/Fe active sites are optimal by manipulating the Co/Fe-doped amount for obtaining the synergistic effect of multi-metallic enzyme-like activities. Besides, the mild photothermal effect of Au NPs facilitates the enhanced catalytic efficiency of Co-Fe LDHs but also initiates tumor cell apoptosis via the hyperthermia effect. In conclusion, this study presents a typical paradigm to utilize bi-functional LDHs-based nanozymes for tumor treatment with enhanced enzyme-like activities.