Dual-Spherical Multifunctional Nanomotors for Intravesical Bladder Cancer Therapy

  • Int J Nanomedicine. 2025 Dec 6:20:14613-14628. doi: 10.2147/IJN.S552418.
Yiyang Chen  #  1  2 Bin Zheng  #  1 Zhenghong Liu  #  1 Heng Wang  1 Lihui Xu  3 Xiaowen Qin  1 Li Sun  1 Haichang Li  1 Wentao Xu  1 Yixuan Mou  1 Chenkai Wang  1 Xintao Hua  1 Xuanyi Zhou  1 Dingyi Liu  1 Wenyan Zuo  1 Chunnan Zhang  1 Pu Zhang  1 Dahong Zhang  1  2
Affiliations
  • 1. Urology & Nephrology Center, Department of Urology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
  • 2. The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
  • 3. School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
  • # Contributed equally.
Abstract

Background: Conventional intravesical chemotherapy for bladder Cancer has shown limited clinical efficacy. To overcome this challenge, self-propelled nanomotors, including urease-modified nanomotors, have been developed. These nanomotors enhance drug diffusion in urine, offering advantages over traditional drugs and passive nanoparticles. However, a key issue remains: the inability to maintain long-term Urease activity.

Methods: Nanozymes, glucose oxidase, and Urease are synthesized into a three-enzyme nanomotors via biomineralization, serving as a power source. Cell membrane nanoparticles loaded with gemcitabine were combined with three-enzyme nanomotors to form dual-spherical nanomotors. TEM, DLS, and analyses of Urease/glucose oxidase activity and nanomotor trajectories confirmed successful nanomotor fabrication. These nanomotors can regulate tumor cell glucose metabolism and release gemcitabine upon cellular entry, achieving a dual Anticancer effect.

Results: Nanomotors synthesized through biomineralization methods exhibit the ability to retain long-term activity. After intravesical instillation, urease-containing nanomotors decomposed urea to produce carbon dioxide and ammonia, propelling rapid nanoparticle movement for deep bladder wall penetration. The homing ability of the tumor membrane-coated nanoparticles enhanced nanomotor accumulation in tumor cells. Subsequently, the nanomotors release Gox and gemcitabine, which significantly inhibit tumor progression.

Conclusion: This innovative strategy utilizes gemcitabine - loaded nanomotors to penetrate the mucus layer and target tumors, inducing cell death for the treatment of bladder Cancer.

Keywords
bladder cancer; intravesical therapy; nanomotor.
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