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Tumor metastasis, the spread of cancer cells from the primary site to distant organs, remains a formidable challenge in oncology. Central to this process is the involvement of subcellular organelles, which undergo significant functional and structural changes during metastasis. Targeting these specific organelles offers a promising avenue for enhanced drug delivery and metastasis therapeutic efficacy. This precision increases the potency and reduces potential off-target effects. Moreover, by understanding the role of each organelle in metastasis, treatments can be designed to disrupt the metastatic process at multiple stages, from cell migration to the establishment of secondary tumors. This review delves deeply into tumor metastasis processes and their connection with subcellular organelles. In order to target these organelles, biomembranes, cell-penetrating peptides, localization signal peptides, aptamers, specific small molecules, and various other strategies have been developed. In this review, we will elucidate targeting delivery strategies for each subcellular organelle and look forward to prospects in this domain. Show less

Reactive molecules, including oxygen and nitrogen species, serve dual roles in human physiology. While they function as essential signaling molecules under normal physiological conditions, they contribute to cellular dysfunction and damage when produced in excess by normal metabolism or in response to stressors. Oxidative/nitrosative stress is a pathological state, resulting from the overproduction of reactive species exceeding the antioxidant capacity of the body, which is implicated in several chronic human diseases. Antioxidant Show less

Photocatalytic cancer therapy (PCT) has emerged as a cutting-edge anticancer mechanism of action, harnessing light energy to mediate the catalytic oxidation of intracellular substrates. PCT is of significant current importance due to its potential to address the limitations of conventional chemotherapy, particularly drug resistance and side effects. This approach offers a noninvasive, targeted cancer treatment option by utilizing metal-based photocatalysts to induce redox and metabolic disorders within cancer cells. The photocatalysts disrupt the cancer cell metabolism by converting NADH/NAD(P)H to NAD⁺/NAD(P)⁺ via catalytic photoredox processes, altering intracellular NAD⁺/NADH or NAD(P)⁺/NAD(P)H ratios, which are crucial for cellular metabolism. Ir(III), Ru(II), Re(I), and Os(II) photocatalysts demonstrated promising PCT efficacy. Despite these developments, gaps remain in the literature for translating this new anticancer mechanism into clinical trials. This Perspective critically examines the developments in this research area and provides future directions for designing efficient photocatalysts for PCT. Show less

Transition metal elements, such as copper, play diverse and pivotal roles in oncology. They act as constituents of metalloenzymes involved in cellular metabolism, function as signaling molecules to regulate the proliferation and metastasis of tumors, and are integral components of metal-based anticancer drugs. Notably, recent research reveals that excessive copper can also modulate the occurrence of programmed cell death (PCD), known as cuprotosis, in cancer cells. This modulation occurs through the disruption of tumor cell metabolism and the induction of proteotoxic stress. This discovery uncovers a mode of interaction between transition metals and proteins, emphasizing the intricate link between copper homeostasis and tumor metabolism. Moreover, they provide innovative therapeutic strategies for the precise diagnosis and treatment of malignant tumors. At the crossroads of chemistry and oncology, we undertake a comprehensive review of copper homeostasis in tumors, elucidating the molecular mechanisms underpinning cuproptosis. Additionally, we summarize current nanotherapeutic approaches that target cuproptosis and provide an overview of the available laboratory and clinical methods for monitoring this process. In the context of emerging concepts, challenges, and opportunities, we emphasize the significant potential of nanotechnology in the advancement of this field. Show less