Phosphate imbalance conducting by BPs-based cancer-targeting phosphate anions carrier induces necrosis

As a vital nutrient closely related to the cancer-cells proliferation, phosphate anions have been paid great attention as a promising anticancer agent. Generally, the transport of phosphate anions depends on a protein transport system which is regulated by ion homeostasis regulations. Herein, we designed a reactive anionic nanocarrier based on black phosphorus nanosheets (BPs) and artesunate (ART), which could enter cells through endocytosis to generate phosphate anions, avoiding the regulation of cell homeostasis. The ionic nanocarrier was coated by polydopamine to defend BPs and ART and functionalized by folate (FA) and hyaluronic acid (HA) for targeting factor. With the anchoring groups FA/HA targeted the carrier into cells, polydopamine coating decomposed to expose ART for further generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cancer cell microenvironment, providing oxidation conditions. Next, ROS generated by ART makes BPs decompose to phosphate anions with effectively speed, giving rise to the destruction of ion homeostasis to induce necrosis and inhibit the proliferation for cancer cells. In consequence, this research provides novel idea and direction for the ionic carriers and tumor therapeutics.