Radiotherapy (RT) remains one of the current main treatment strategies for many types of cancer. However, how to improve RT efficiency while reducing its side effects is still a large challenge to be overcome. Advancements in nanomedicine have provided many effective approaches for radiosensitization. Metal nanoparticles (NPs) such as platinum-based or hafnium-based NPs are proved to be ideal radiosensitizers because of their unique physicochemical properties and high X-ray absorption efficiency. With nanoparticles, such as liposomes, bovine serum albumin, and polymers, the radiosensitizing drugs can be promoted to reach the tumor sites, thereby enhancing anti-tumor responses. Nowadays, the combination of some NPs and RT have been applied to clinical treatment for many types of cancer, including breast cancer. Here, as well as reviewing recent studies on radiotherapy combined with inorganic, organic, and biomimetic nanomaterials for oncology, we analyzed the underlying mechanisms of NPs radiosensitization, which may contribute to exploring new directions for the clinical translation of nanoparticle-based radiosensitizers.

Advances of Nanomedicine in Radiotherapy.

Abstract Background To enhance the performance of radiotherapy, emerging nanoparticles that can professionally enhance X-ray irradiation to destruct cancer cells are extremely necessary. Here, we examined the potential of PEG-coated magnetite copper sulfide hetero-nanoparticles (Fe 3 O 4 @Cus–PEG) as a radiosensitizer agent. Methods Fe 3 O 4 @Cus–PEG nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized. The toxicity of nanoparticles on HT-29 colorectal cancer cells was assessed by the MTT assay. The radio-sensitizing effects of Fe 3 O 4 @Cus–PEG nanoparticles on HT-29 cancer cells were investigated by the MTT and colony formation assays. Moreover, the underlying mechanisms for Fe 3 O 4 @Cus–PEG nanoparticles to improve the radiation sensitivity of cells were evaluated. Results The results demonstrated that nanoparticles enhanced the effects of X-ray irradiation in a dose-dependent manner. The effects of combined treatments (nanoparticles and X-ray radiation) were strongly synergistic. The sensitizing enhancement ratio (SER) of nanoparticles was 2.02. Our in vitro assays demonstrated that the nitric oxide production, the intracellular hydrogen peroxide concentration, and the expression level of Bax and Caspase-3 genes significantly increased in the cells treated with the combination of nanoparticles and radiation. Whereas, the Glutathione peroxidase enzyme activity and the expression level of the Bcl-2 gene in the combined treatment significantly decreased compared to the radiation alone. Conclusions Our study suggests that Fe 3 O 4 @Cus–PEG nanoparticles are the promising nano radio-sensitizing agents for the treatment of cancer cells to enhance the efficacy of radiation therapy through increasing the reactive oxygen species generation, nitric oxide production, and inducing apoptosis. Graphical Abstract 

https://cancer-nano.biomedcentral.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/s12645-022-00131-0

Improve the cytotoxic effects of megavoltage radiation treatment by Fe3O4@Cus–PEG nanoparticles as a novel radiosensitizer in colorectal cancer cells

Nonlinear optical response of cancer cells following conventional and nano-technology based treatment strategies: Results of chemo-, thermo- and radiation therapies

Masume Behruzi

Papers

Magneto-plasmonic nanoparticle mediated thermo-radiotherapy significantly affects the nonlinear optical properties of treated cancer cells