Could FA-PG-SPIONs act as a hyperthermia sensitizing agent? An in vitro study.

The therapeutic effect of polyglycerol coated iron oxide nanoparticles (PG-SPIONs, non-targeted nanoparticles) and folic acid-conjugated polyglycerol coated iron oxide nanoparticles (FA-PG-SPIONs, targeted nanoparticles) in combination with hyperthermia on viability of HeLa cells was investigated. It was observed that coated and uncoated SPIONs have spherical shapes with an average diameter of 17.9 ±â€¯2.85 nm and 5.4 ±â€¯0.75 nm, respectively. The penetration rate for cells treated with targeted nanoparticles was shown to be more than that of non-targeted nanoparticles. Moreover, it was revealed that the treatment of cells with ≥ 50 µg/ml FA-PG-SPIONs in combination with hyperthermia induced cytotoxicity in comparison to control cells. The results also showed that increasing the concentrations of targeted nanoparticles (FA-PG-SPIONs) and heating time would increase the value of thermal enhancement factor (TEF). In contrast, TEF values were not increased with increasing heating time and concentrations of non-targeted nanoparticles (PG-SPIONs). On the other hand, TEF values were increased with increasing concentrations and heating time so that the maximum TEF value was obtained at the highest concentration (FA-PG-SPION, 200 µg/ml) as well as the longest heating duration (60 min). Thus, it is concluded that FA-PG-SPIONs with concentrations ≥ 100 µg/ml could be introduced and used as hyperthermia sensitizing agents leading to enhanced cancer therapy efficiency.

The role of folic acid-conjugated polyglycerol coated iron oxide nanoparticles on radiosensitivity with clinical electron beam (6 MeV) on human cervical carcinoma cell line: In vitro study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of Folic Acid-Conjugated polyglycerol coated iron oxide nanoparticles on the radiosensitivity of HeLa cells when irradiated with 6 MeV electron beams. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Different concentrations of iron oxide nanoparticles (PG-SPIONs and FA-PG-SPIONs (25, 50, 100, 200 µg ml-1)) were synthesized by the thermal decomposition technique. The effect of PG-SPIONs and FA-PG-SPIONs in combination with radiation (2, 4, 6 Gy) on the viability of cells and cell survival were estimated using the trypan blue dye exclusion test and MTT assay immediately and 48 h after irradiations, respectively. RESULTS: It was observed that the penetration rate of uptake for cells treated with >50 µg ml-1 FA-PG-SPIONs was more than that of non-targeted nanoparticles. The data obtained by trypan blue dye exclusion test showed no significant reduction in cell viability for all groups in comparison with control group. The results revealed that increasing the radiation doses in the presence of the concentrations of the nanoparticles increased the value of radiosensitivity. The most radiosensitivity was obtained at the highest concentration of FA-PG-SPIONs (200 µg ml-1) as well as the longest radiation doses. CONCLUSION: It was revealed that higher concentrations of the FA-PG-SPIONs in combination with 6 MeV electron beams could enhance radiosensitization of HeLa cells.

The role of iron oxide nanoparticles in the radiosensitization of human prostate carcinoma cell line DU145 at megavoltage radiation energies.

PURPOSE: To examine the radiosensitizing effects of iron oxide nanoparticles in the presence of 6 MV (megavoltage) X-ray radiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Iron oxide nanoparticles with two different modifications - dextran coating (plain) and amino-group dextran coating - were used. The rate of iron oxide penetration was monitored using Prussian blue staining, magnetic resonance imaging and atomic adsorption spectroscopy. The effect of iron oxide on the viability of cells was determined using trypan blue dye exclusion assay followed by evaluating the cytotoxicity effect of amino-group iron oxide nanoparticles and ionizing radiation. Radiation dose enhancement studies were carried out on DU145 human prostate carcinoma cell line with 1 mg/ml amino-group iron oxide nanoparticles and different doses of 6 MV X-ray radiation. RESULTS: The uptake of amino-group coated nanoparticles by DU145 cells was significantly more than the plain nanoparticles. In addition, cell viability was decreased with the increase of iron oxide concentration. The dose enhancement factor (DEF) is approximately 1.2 at different doses in the range of 2-8 Gy of 6 MV X-ray radiation. CONCLUSIONS: It was demonstrated that iron oxide nanoparticles with the appropriate surface modifications can enter the DU145 cells and it can be used as a cell sensitizer to megavoltage ionizing radiations in radiation therapy.