The presence of hypoxia in solid tumors is a significant factor limiting the effectiveness of radiotherapy and chemotherapy in cancer treatment. With the continuous development of tumor therapy, catalytic oxygen generation strategies have garnered considerable attention due to their efficiency and multifunctionality. In this article, we review the types of catalytic oxygen generation reactions, catalyst categories, and combined therapeutic strategies used in tumor treatment. By comparing the physicochemical properties and oxygen generation performance of different materials, and analyzing the integration of catalytic oxygen generation systems with various tumor treatment strategies, we summarize the challenges in improving tumor hypoxia via catalytic oxygen generation to enhance cancer therapy. This review aims to provide a reference for the development of more efficient, safe, and clinically promising catalytic oxygen generation-based synergistic anti-tumor strategies.

Radiotherapy is one of the main therapeutic methods for cancers; however, nonselective killing of normal cells and tumor cells by X-ray inevitably results in toxicity and side effects. Developing low-toxicity and high-efficiency radiosensitizers to reduce the practical dose of X-ray is a promising approach to overcoming these side effects. Here, we report the use of carboxylate-containing organic ligands to construct one-dimensional high-Z lanthanide chains for efficient response to X-ray. The one-dimensional lanthanide chains are stacked through weak interactions to form coordination nanoframeworks in the presence of polyethylenimine (PEI). The morphology and activity of the synthesized nanoframeworks can be regulated through selenium atom engineering. This study presents a promising approach for effective radiotherapy through selenium-engineering stable lanthanide nanoframeworks with precise coordination structures as radiosensitizers to mitigate X-ray side effects.