Enhanced radiation effect on tumor growth using oxygen-rich microcapsules

The aim of this study was to determine whether oxygen-releasing microcapsules could be used to sensitize cancer cells to kill by radiation. The microcapsules were generated by spraying a mixture of 0.1% alginate and hyaluronic acid into a 0.3 mmol/l solution of CaCl2 and FeCl2. These were then subcutaneously injected around a MM48 tumor (a cell line derived from human breast cancer) in the left hind legs of C3H/HeN mice, and tumors were dosed with 60Co γ-ray radiation. We showed that the oxygen released from the microcapsules enhanced the anti-tumor effect of radiation treatment via the generation of oxygen radicals.