A team at Oregon State University has developed a novel iron-based metal-organic framework (MOF) nanoagent that can simultaneously generate hydroxyl radicals and singlet oxygen inside tumor cells, boosting chemodynamic therapy (CDT).

Catalytically, the MOF nanoagent produces both hydroxyl radicals and singlet oxygen inside tumor cells, increasing oxidative stress beyond what traditional CDT agents achieve.

In mice, researchers observed complete tumor eradication and long-term absence of recurrence, indicating durable therapeutic benefits in initial studies.

The initial results show total tumor regression with lasting recurrence prevention, underscoring strong potential and safety signals.

Findings were published in Advanced Functional Materials, marking a significant step forward in CDT and cancer nanomedicine.

Key contributors from OSU include Oleh Taratula, Olena Taratula, Chao Wang and colleagues, with funding from the NIH’s National Cancer Institute and NICHD.

The study was led by Taratula, Taratula, and Wang from OSU College of Pharmacy and published in Advanced Functional Materials, with funding from NIH institutes.

Next steps involve evaluating the nanoagent against additional cancer types, such as pancreatic cancer, to assess broader applicability before advancing to human trials.

The MOF nanoagent targets the acidic, hydrogen peroxide–rich tumor environment to produce reactive oxygen species that damage cancer cell components while sparing healthy tissue.

In preclinical mouse models, systemic administration led to complete tumor regression in breast cancer without noticeable systemic toxicity.

The treatment demonstrated strong anti-tumor activity across cancer cell lines with minimal harm to noncancerous cells in preclinical studies.

Plans are in place to test the nanoagent across various cancers to determine broader applicability prior to initiating human trials.