ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles as radiosensitizers in radiotherapy of human prostate cancer cells.

Nanoparticles of high-Z elements exhibit stronger photoelectric effects than soft tissues under gamma irradiation. Hence, they can be used as effective radiosensitizers for increasing the efficiency of current radiotherapy. In this work, superparamagnetic zinc ferrite spinel (ZnFe2O4) nanoparticles were synthesized by a hydrothermal reaction method and used as radiosensitizers in cancer therapy. The magnetic nanoparticles showed fast separation from solutions (e.g., ~1 min for 2 mg mL(-1) of the nanoparticles in ethanol) by applying an external magnetic field (~1T). The ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles were applied in an in vitro radiotherapy of lymph node carcinoma of prostate cells (as high radioresistant cells) under gamma irradiation of (60)Co source. The nanoparticles exhibited no significant effects on the cancer cells up to the high concentration of 100 µg mL(-1), in the absence of gamma irradiation. The gamma irradiation alone (2Gy dose) also showed no significant effects on the cells. However, gamma irradiation in the presence of 100 µg mL(-1) ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles resulted in ~53% inactivation of the cells (~17 times higher than the inactivation that occurred under gamma irradiation alone) after 24h. The higher cell inactivation was assigned to interaction of gamma radiation with nanoparticles (photoelectric effect), resulting in a high level electron release in the media of the radioresistant cells. Our results indicated that ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles not only can be applied in increasing the efficiency of radiotherapy, but also can be easily separated from the cell environment by using an external magnetic field after the radiotherapy.

Evaluation of the cytotoxic effects of PLGA coated iron oxide nanoparticles as a carrier of 5- fluorouracil and mega-voltage X-ray radiation in DU145 prostate cancer cell line.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the uptake and cytotoxic effects of magnetic poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA)-coated iron oxide nanoparticles as a carrier of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and X-ray on the level of proliferation capacity of DU145 prostate carcinoma cell line in monolayer culture. Following monolayer culture, DU 145 cells were treated with different concentrations of 5-FU or 5-FU loaded nanoparticles for 24 h and 2Gy X-ray (6 Mega-voltage (MV)). The rate of nanoparticles penetration was then measured using atomic adsorption spectroscopy (AAS). The cytotoxicity effect of these nanoparticles with/ without X-ray radiation was evaluated using colony formation assay. Spectroscopy results showed that iron content and therefore the cellular uptake of 5-FU loaded nanoparticles increased with increasing nanoparticle concentrations. Further, the proliferation capacity of the cells decreased with the increase of 5-FU and 5- FU loaded nanoparticle concentrations in combination with X-ray radiation. However the extent of reduction in colony number following treatment with 5-FU-loaded nanoparticles in combination with 2Gy of megavoltage X-ray radiation was significantly more than for free 5-FU. Thus, drug-loaded nanoparticles could deliver 5-FU more efficiently into the cells. PLGA coated iron oxide nanoparticles are therefore effective drug delivery vehicles for 5-FU. PLGA coated iron oxide nanoparticles are biocompatible and this coating is an appropriate surface that can penetrate into the cells.

A scientific paradigm for targeted nanophotothermolysis; the potential for nanosurgery of cancer.

The application of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in nanophotothermolysis as a great photosensitizer is expanding, and this subject is a challenging area for cancer therapy. Recent technological advances in nanoscale manufacturing and synthesis promise the development of highly beneficial and innovative methods for the targeting of cancer. However, there is an obstacle to conducting effective laser-based nanosurgery because AuNPs are activated by visible or near infrared wavelengths, and the penetration of a laser beam inside the body is limited by some absorbents, such as melanin, water, and blood molecules. Considering everything stated above, we have suggested the application of a folate-conjugated AuNP as an effective agent for targeted nanophotothermolysis and the application of an optical fiber to transport the laser light from the source to the target tissue inside the body. Thus, a new method of nanosurgery in which a surgeon is able to perform surgery at the cellular or even at the subcellular level may be possible.