Molecularly Targeted Dose-Enhancement Radiotherapy Using Gold and Luminescent Nanoparticles in an Orthotopic Human Prostate Cancer Rat Model

Abstract

Abstract : Dose enhancement effect from gold nanoparticles with kV energy x-ray radiation had been evaluated on several cell lines and two different sizes of nanoparticles. In the past, 50 nm gold nanoparticles and several cell lines, such as DU-145, PC-3, and HeLa had been used for this study. All experimental procedures were followed the published protocols and modified as necessary. From these combinations, the dose enhancement effect was very minimal and even considered as negligible. Nanoparticle size has been switched to 100 nm which is also spherical shape and made of the same material as 50 nm nanoparticles. The dose enhancement of 100 nm nanoparticles have been evaluated on MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line with clonogenic assay. We observed that free nanoparticles around cells in tissue culture medium, not within the cells, have contributed dose enhancement at great amount. This dose enhancement was not observed in the 50 nm nanoparticles. Therefore, dose enhancement effect from gold nanoparticles is dependent on both the particle size and cancer cell lines.