Orsi D, Rimoldi T, Pinelli S, Alinovi R, Goldoni M, Benecchi G, Rossi F, Cristofolini L. New CeF
3-ZnO nanocomposites for self-lighted photodynamic therapy that block adenocarcinoma cell life cycle.
Nanomedicine (Lond) 2018;
13:2311-2326. [PMID:
30198424 DOI:
10.2217/nnm-2017-0399]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM
To synthesize and characterize the performances of a new all-inorganic nanocomposite (NC) for self-lighted photodynamic therapy against cancer. This NC could allow radiotherapy doses to be reduced, as it enhances the effects of x-rays, generating cytotoxic reactive oxygen species as singlet oxygen.
MATERIALS & METHODS
The proposed NC combines CeF3 and ZnO; CeF3 absorbs 6-MeV x-rays and activates the photosensitizer ZnO. Characterization is performed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning-TEM, energy dispersive x-ray spectrometry and fluorescence spectroscopies. Efficiency on human adenocarcinoma cells (A549) was tested by fluorescence spectroscopy, cytofluorimetry, viability assays, clonogenic assays, cell cycle progression assays.
RESULTS
NC blocks A549's cell cycle before mitosis in the dark. Upon low-dose x-ray irradiation (2 Gy), reactive oxygen species/singlet oxygen are generated, further blocking cell cycle and reducing viability by 18% with respect to the sum of x-ray irradiation and NC dark activity.
CONCLUSION
These novel NCs promise to reduce doses in radiotherapy, helping to reduce unwanted side effects.
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