Ultra-small vanadate prodrug nanoparticles

Tumor-specific activation

These nanoparticles convert low-toxicity V(IV) prodrugs into active V(V) in response to reactive oxygen species in the tumor microenvironment, enabling targeted inhibition of Na/K-ATPase for enhanced anticancer efficacy with minimal systemic toxicity.

Li, Yifan · Wang, Jian · Tang, Yujing · Yu, Yingjie · Lv, Yitong · Li, Wenzhe · Zhang, Ming

Nanoscale 2023

Advantages

Near-infrared photothermal conversion enables mild hyperthermia at tumor site

Negligible toxicity to normal tissues