Correction to: Ultrathin gold nanowires to enhance radiation therapy

Abstract Background: Radiation therapy is a main treatment option for cancer. Due to normal tissue toxicity, radiosensitizers are commonly used to enhance RT. In particular, heavy metal or high-Z materials, such as gold nanoparticles, have been investigated as radiosensitizers. So far, however, the related studies have been focused on spherical gold nanoparticles. In this study, we assessed the potential of ultra-thin gold nanowires as a radiosensitizer, which is the first time. Methods: Gold nanowires were synthesized by the reduction of HAuCl4 in hexane. The as-synthesized gold nanowires were then coated with a layer of PEGylated phospholipid to be rendered soluble in water. Spherical gold nanoparticles coated with the same phospholipid were also synthesized as a comparison. Gold nanowires and gold nanospheres were first tested in solutions for their ability to enhance radical production under irradiation. They were then incubated with 4T1 cells to assess whether they could elevate cell oxidative stress under irradiation. Lastly, gold nanowires and gold nanoparticles were intratumorally injected into a 4T1 xenograft model, followed by irradiation applied to tumors (3 Gy/per day for three days). Tumor growth was monitored and compared. Results: Our studies showed that gold nanowires are superior to gold nanospheres in enhancing radical production under X-ray radiation. In vitro analysis found that the presence of gold nanowires caused elevated lipid peroxidation and intracellular oxidative stress under radiation. When tested in vivo, gold nanowires plus irradiation led to better tumor suppression than gold nanospheres plus radiation. Moreover, gold nanowires were found to be gradually reduced to shorter nanowires by glutathione, which may benefit fractionated radiation. Conclusion: Our studies suggest that gold nanowires are a promising type of radiosensitizer that can be safely injected into tumors to enhance radiotherapy. While the current study was conducted in a breast cancer model, the approach can be extended to the treatment of other cancer types.

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Ultrathin Gold Nanowires to Enhance Radiation Therapy

10.21203/rs.2.23426/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Lin Bai ◽

Fangchao Jiang ◽

Renjie Wang ◽

Chaebin Lee ◽

Hui Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Radiation Therapy ◽

Background Radiation ◽

Gold Nanowires ◽

Cancer Models ◽

Vitro Analysis ◽

First Time ◽

In Vitro Analysis ◽

Promising Type

Abstract Background: Radiation therapy (RT) is a main treatment option for cancer. Due to normal tissue toxicity, radiosensitizers are commonly used to enhance RT. In particular, high-Z nanoparticles, such as gold nanoparticles, have been investigated as radiosensitizers. So far, however, the studies have been focused on gold nanospheres (GNSs). In this study, we assessed the potential of ultra-thin gold nanowires (GNWs) as a radiosensitizer, which is the first time. Results: Our studies showed that GNWs are superior to GNSs with regard to enhancing radical production under radiation. In vitro analysis found that GNWs could stick to the plasma membrane and elevate lipid peroxidation and intracellular oxidative stress under radiation. When tested in vivo , GNWs led to improved tumor suppression by RT relative to GNSs. GNWs may be gradually reduced to form GNSs and shorter gold nanowires, which benefits repeated radiation. Conclusions: Our studies suggest that GNWs are as a promising type of radiosensitizer, which can be safely injected into tumors to enhance radiotherapy. While the current study was conducted in breast cancer models, the approach can be extended to the treatment of other cancers.

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Ultrathin gold nanowires to enhance radiation therapy

Journal of Nanobiotechnology ◽

10.1186/s12951-020-00678-3 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lin Bai ◽

Fangchao Jiang ◽

Renjie Wang ◽

Chaebin Lee ◽

Hui Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Gold Nanoparticles ◽

Radiation Therapy ◽

Xenograft Model ◽

Gold Nanowires ◽

Gold Nanospheres ◽

Radical Production ◽

Spherical Gold Nanoparticles

Abstract Background Radiation therapy is a main treatment option for cancer. Due to normal tissue toxicity, radiosensitizers are commonly used to enhance RT. In particular, heavy metal or high-Z materials, such as gold nanoparticles, have been investigated as radiosensitizers. So far, however, the related studies have been focused on spherical gold nanoparticles. In this study, we assessed the potential of ultra-thin gold nanowires as a radiosensitizer, which is the first time. Methods Gold nanowires were synthesized by the reduction of HAuCl4 in hexane. The as-synthesized gold nanowires were then coated with a layer of PEGylated phospholipid to be rendered soluble in water. Spherical gold nanoparticles coated with the same phospholipid were also synthesized as a comparison. Gold nanowires and gold nanospheres were first tested in solutions for their ability to enhance radical production under irradiation. They were then incubated with 4T1 cells to assess whether they could elevate cell oxidative stress under irradiation. Lastly, gold nanowires and gold nanoparticles were intratumorally injected into a 4T1 xenograft model, followed by irradiation applied to tumors (3 Gy/per day for three days). Tumor growth was monitored and compared. Results Our studies showed that gold nanowires are superior to gold nanospheres in enhancing radical production under X-ray radiation. In vitro analysis found that the presence of gold nanowires caused elevated lipid peroxidation and intracellular oxidative stress under radiation. When tested in vivo, gold nanowires plus irradiation led to better tumor suppression than gold nanospheres plus radiation. Moreover, gold nanowires were found to be gradually reduced to shorter nanowires by glutathione, which may benefit fractionated radiation. Conclusion Our studies suggest that gold nanowires are a promising type of radiosensitizer that can be safely injected into tumors to enhance radiotherapy. While the current study was conducted in a breast cancer model, the approach can be extended to the treatment of other cancer types.

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