Controlled co-delivery of glucose oxidase and asparaginase via silica-chitosan hybrid matrices for gastric cancer therapy.

The combination of therapeutic enzymes in controlled-release hybrid systems is an innovative alternative for treating different types of cancer. This study evaluated the co-encapsulation of glucose oxidase (GOx) and asparaginase (ASNase) in a silica-chitosan hybrid matrix and its effect on the viability of gastric cancer cells (AGS) and healthy gastric epithelial cells (GES-1). Co-encapsulation achieved efficiencies of up to 89% for ASNase and 69% for GOx, maintaining enzymatic activity and sustained release under simulated physiological conditions. The co-encapsulated systems retained catalytic activity and showed selective activity, significantly reducing AGS cell viability (43%). The silica-chitosan matrix served as a stable, biocompatible support, enabling controlled, synergistic release of both enzymes. These results demonstrate the therapeutic potential and novelty of the co-encapsulation of glucose oxidase and asparaginase (GOx-ASNase), proposing it as an emerging strategy in combined enzyme therapies against gastric cancer.