Synthesis of CuS nanoparticles for enhance radiosensitization of cancer cells

Abstract

Researchers have become more interested in new nanotechnologies for radiotherapy over the past few years. To increase radiotherapy (RT) efficacy, it is very desirable to design nanoparticles (NPs) that efficiently generate hazardous reactive oxygen species (ROS) when exposed to X-rays. As a potential nanoradiosensitizer, the potential of CuS NPs, is investigated here. For this aim, bovine serum albumin (BSA) coated CuS NPs, CuS@BSANPs, were synthesized through a biomineralization approach. CuS@BSANPs show a spherical shape and have an average size of 13.15 ± 3.4 nm. It show hydrodynamic size about 37 nm and the zata potential about −45 mV. MTT assay shows that 4T1 cells growth was inhibited when it was co-treated with CuS@BSANPs and X-ray irradiation. Under combination therapy, there is a large rise in the ROS level in the cells, which plays an important role in the greater damage caused to cancer cells. The CuS@BSANPs show the potential to be a very effective nanoradiosensitizer agent for the treatment of cancer.