Versatile Detection and Monitoring of Ionizing Radiation Treatment Using Radiation-Responsive Gel Nanosensors

Abstract

Modern radiation therapy workflow involves complex processes intended to maximize the radiation dose delivered to tumors while simultaneously minimizing excess radiation to normal tissues. Safe and accurate delivery of radiation doses is critical to the successful execution of these treatment plans and effective treatment outcomes. Given extensive differences in existing dosimeters, the choice of devices and technologies for detecting biologically relevant doses of radiation has to be made judiciously, taking into account anatomical considerations and modality of treatment (invasive, e.g., interstitial brachytherapy vs noninvasive, e.g., external-beam therapy radiotherapy). Rapid advances in versatile radiation delivery technologies necessitate new detection platforms and devices that are readily adaptable into a multitude of form factors in order to ensure precision and safety in dose delivery. Here, we demonstrate the adaptability of radiation-responsive gel nanosensors as a platform technology for detecting ionizing radiation using three different form factors with an eye toward versatile use in the clinic. In this approach, ionizing radiation results in the reduction of monovalent gold salts leading to the formation of gold nanoparticles within gels formulated in different morphologies including one-dimensional (1D) needles for interstitial brachytherapy, two-dimensional (2D) area inserts for skin brachytherapy, and three-dimensional (3D) volumetric dose distribution in tissue phantoms. The formation of gold nanoparticles can be detected using distinct but complementary modes of readout including optical (visual) and photothermal detection, which further enhances the versatility of this approach. A linear response in the readout was seen as a function of radiation dose, which enabled straightforward calibration of each of these devices for predicting unknown doses of therapeutic relevance. Taken together, these results indicate that the gel nanosensor technology can be used to detect ionizing radiation in different morphologies and using different detection methods for application in treatment planning, delivery, and verification in radiotherapy and in trauma care.

Incorporating Photochromic Viologen Derivative to Unprecedentedly Boost UV Sensitivity in Photoelectrochromic Hydrogel

“…To overcome this limitation, [H 2 L]-SC based hydrogel was fabricated by mixing [H 2 L]-SC , acrylamide (AM), ZnSO 4 , and H 2 O in a glass vial and subsequently adding 4% (wt.) (NH 4 ) 2 S 2 O 8 solution (Figure a). − Incubating the mixed precursors at 50 °C for 0.5 h and then cooling them to room temperature afforded [H 2 L]-SC incorporating polyacrylamide gel, namely, [H 2 L]-SC @PAM. Notably, PAM possesses excellent elastic properties and it returns to its original shape without deformation after continuous stretching, compressing, and folding processes (Figure b).…”

Synthesis of Metallic Nanostructures Using Ionizing Radiation and Their Applications

“…Moreover, in radiation therapy it is also very important to control the radiation dose delivered to the patient. Recently, it was reported that the formation of plasmonic gold nanoparticles from gold salts in nanocomposite gels under radiation could be used as a simple dosimeter for the detection of therapeutic levels of radiation [145,146].…”

Review of nanomaterial advances for ionizing radiation dosimetry

“… 167,168 The applicability of the prepared radiation-responsive gel nanosensors to be used as a platform technology for ionizing radiation detection in three different form factors was recently studied, with a view toward diverse clinical use. 169 Ionizing radiation reduces monovalent gold salts in this approach, resulting in the formation of gold nanoparticles within gel matrix formulated in a variety of morphologies such as one-dimensional (1D) needles and two-dimensional (2D) area inserts for multiple modes of brachytherapy, as well as 3D volumetric dose distribution in tissue phantoms. The produced gold nanoparticles can be detected utilizing various but independent means of readout including visual and photothermal detection, which further boosts the adaptability of this approach.…”