Engineering narrow band gap nanotherapeutics for multimodal treatments of colon cancer

Introduction: Narrow band gap semiconductor nanoparticles are attracting interest in cancer therapy due to their photocatalytic ability to modulate the tumor microenvironment via redox reactions mediated by hot electrons and holes. [1, 2]. In this work, we synthesized bismuth antimony telluride (BST) nanoparticles that can oxidize glutathione and produce superoxide and hydroxyl radicals in the tumor microenvironment. This combined with photothermal therapy, offers an excellent therapeutic effect. This study further focuses on intricate mechanisms of apoptosis, ferroptosis, and immune cell death.