Albumin-Modified Gold Nanoparticles as Novel Radiosensitizers for Enhancing Lung Cancer Radiotherapy

Abstract

Background Considering the strong attenuation of photons and the potential to increase the deposition of radiation, high-atomic number nanomaterials are often used as radiosensitizers in cancer radiotherapy, of which gold nanoparticles (GNPs) are widely used. Materials and Methods We prepared albumin-modified GNPs (Alb-GNPs) and observed their radiosensitizing effects and biotoxicity in human non-small-cell lung carcinoma tumor-bearing mice models. Results The prepared nanoparticles (Alb-GNPs) demonstrated excellent colloidal stability and biocompatibility at the mean size of 205.06 ± 1.03 nm. Furthermore, clone formation experiments revealed that Alb-GNPs exerted excellent radiosensitization, with a sensitization enhancement ratio (SER) of 1.432, which is higher than X-ray alone. Our in vitro and in vivo data suggested that Alb-GNPs enabled favorable accumulation in tumors, and the combination of Alb-GNPs and radiotherapy exhibited a relatively greater radiosensitizing effect and anti-tumor activity. In addition, no toxicity or abnormal irritating response resulted from the application of Alb-GNPs. Conclusion Alb-GNPs can be used as an effective radiosensitizer to improve the efficacy of radiotherapy with minimal damage to healthy tissues.

Application of High-Z Nanoparticles to Enhance Current Radiotherapy Treatment

“…Although their study effectively displayed the energy dependence of the radiosensitization due to GNPs, it suggested that GNPs were effective in increasing the radiosensitization of cells when treated with MV X-rays. These results have also been further corroborated by various studies that effectively display the sensitizing effects of high-Z NPs when irradiated by MV sources, indicating that other mechanisms could be responsible for the observed radiosensitization [20,[39][40][41][42].…”

Research Progress of Polysaccharide-Gold Nanocomplexes in Drug Delivery

“…Additionally, the albumin-AuNPs showed effective tumor accumulation. These findings highlight the potential for relatively greater radiosensitization and antitumor activity while minimizing damage to normal body tissues, but pharmacokinetic studies, validation of tumor models, and investigation of the mechanism of radiosensitization were lacking in this experiment [ 115 ].…”

In Vitro and In Vivo Synergetic Radiotherapy with Gold Nanoparticles and Docetaxel for Pancreatic Cancer

“…They can locally enhance the efficacy of RT through their unique photoelectric properties and high X-ray absorption, which leads to increased radiation dose deposition in tumor tissues [ 10 ]. Various studies have demonstrated that GNPs can effectively sensitize tumor cells to radiation by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and other mechanisms that amplify DNA damage [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. Recent advances in nanotechnology have facilitated the development of GNPs that are optimized for better dosing and higher therapeutic effects [ 13 , 15 , 16 , 18 ].…”

“…Various studies have demonstrated that GNPs can effectively sensitize tumor cells to radiation by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and other mechanisms that amplify DNA damage [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. Recent advances in nanotechnology have facilitated the development of GNPs that are optimized for better dosing and higher therapeutic effects [ 13 , 15 , 16 , 18 ]. Enhancing GNPs as radiosensitizers involves surface modifications with ligands like polyethylene glycol (PEG) for immune evasion and arginyl-glycyl-aspartic acid (RGD) for selective cancer cell targeting [ 19 , 20 , 21 ].…”