Cisplatin-encapsulated zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 nanosystem enhanced radiosensitivity of non-small cell lung cancer

Lung cancer is one of the most lethal tumors worldwide, of which non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 80-90% of cases. For patients with locally advanced but surgically unresectable NSCLC, radiotherapy is the fundamental treatment. With the extensive research on nanomaterials, they have been investigated as drug delivery platforms or radio-sensitizing reagents in the treatment of NSCLC. We successfully synthesized the nanoparticles encapsulated cisplatin (CDDP) and iron ions (Fe³⁺) in the zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF)-8 nanosystem as CDDP@Fe/ZIF-8 (CFZ), and explored their effects on the radiosensitivity of NSCLC. In vitro cellular assays demonstrated that CFZ combined with radiation synthetically inhibited NSCLC cell proliferation, promoted oxidative stress and apoptosis, and induced cell cycle arrest. The results of tumor-bearing mouse model experiments suggested that CFZ safely and effectively strengthened the radiosensitivity of NSCLC cells in vivo. Our research indicated the good biosafety and high drug loading capacity of ZIF-8 nanocarriers as a drug delivery system, and that the CFZ nanosystem safely improved the radiosensitivity of NSCLC. Further validation and modification of ZIF-8 nanocarriers as radio-sensitizing metal elements may be a promising direction for the improvement of radiotherapy efficacy in NSCLC.