Novel carrier-free, charge-reversal and DNA-affinity nanodrugs for synergistic cascade cancer chemo-chemodynamic therapy

The combination of chemotherapy (CT) and chemodynamic therapy (CDT) is an emerging therapeutic strategy for tumors; however, its therapeutic efficacy is usually impaired by the shortage of high-efficiency intracellular catalysts for CDT and the poor tumor selectivity of CT. To address this concern, novel carrier-free nanodrugs (CMC-DD2) self-assembled from the natural melanin complex (CMC) with a superior CDT performance, and dehydroabietic acid hexamer (DD2) displaying a potent antitumor activity were proposed for the synergistic combination of CT and CDT. CMC-DD2 preferred to enter tumor cells and localize in the nucleus after lysosome escape due to its pH-dependent charge-reversal properties. Nanodrugs internalized by the nucleus directly bound the DNA and altered its conformation. Then, the dissociation of CMC-DD2 was efficiently triggered by intracellular hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) with the release of DNA damaging agents, including nitrate anions, hydroxyl radicals (●OH) and DD2. Finally, severe DNA damage induced mitochondrial apoptosis in HepG2 cells. An in vivo assessment further demonstrated the superior tumor selectivity and suppressor capacity and no/low toxicity of the nanodrugs. Overall, novel carrier-free, charge-reversal, nucleus-targeting, biodegradable, and DNA-affinity nanodrugs represent safe and effective platforms for the combination of CT and CDT.