Smart self-assembled nanomedicine for ferroptotic tumor therapy

Abstract

Featured by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, ferroptosis is increasingly recognized as a prominent route for programmed tumor therapy. However, the adaptivity, complexity, and heterogeneity of tumors hamper the performance of ferroptotic tumor therapies. Recent advances in molecularly self-assembled nanomedicine show promise in rejuvenating ferroptotic tumor therapies by leveraging the principles of molecular self-assembly (MSA). This review first sketches the basis of ferroptosis and MSA. Subsequently, representative nanoplatforms are discussed to elucidate how MSA can be devised, either in vitro or in vivo, to improve the precision, efficacy, and biosafety of ferroptotic tumor therapies. Finally, considerations and future perspectives toward clinical translation of molecularly self-assembled ferroptosis nanomedicine are addressed.