Self-assembled Cupric Oxide Nanoclusters for Highly efficient chemodynamic therapy

Chemodynamic therapy (CDT) based on Fenton and Fenton-like reactions induces cancer cell killing via in situ catalyzing H2O2 and generating highly oxidative hydroxyl radicals ((OH)-O-center dot) in tumor sites. Their application is not limited by tumor grown depth or hypoxic microenvironment. However, the reaction efficiency is still hampered due to the structure of catalytic agents and the requirement for low pH environment. Here, we design a porous CuO nanocluster (CuO NC) through self-assembly of oleylamine stabilized CuO NPs (OAm-CuO NPs), and functionalize it with folic acid (CuO NC-FA) for specific tumor cell targeting. It can catalyze H2O2 with high efficiency in nearly neutral environment. Besides, the porous structure of CuO NC also helps the diffusion of H2O2 to the interior of nanocluster to further improve Fenton-like reaction efficiency. The convenient synthesis of CuO NC-FA with good Fenton-like reaction efficiency at neutral environment demonstrates good chemodynamic therapy effect.