Dual-responsive probe and DNA interstrand crosslink precursor target the unique redox status of cancer cells.

Elevated GSH and H 2 O 2 in cancer cells is sometimes doubted due to their contrary reactivities. Here, we construct a dual-responsive fluorescent probe to confirm the conclusion, and employ this to exploit a redox-inducible DNA interstrand crosslink (ICL) precursor. It crosslinks DNA upon activation by GSH and H 2 O 2 , affording an alternative dual-responsive strategy.