방사선의학 웹진

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Abstract
High-Z materials enhance radiation dose deposition primarily through strong photoelectric absorption. Leveraging this property, nanoparticles based on high-Z content materials can be utilized as nanoscale radiosensitizers to enhance the efficacy of radiotherapy. Notably, gold nanoparticles (Au: gold, AuNPs) have been intensively investigated due to their excellent radiosensitizing effect and straightforward synthesis process. However, without additional modifications, they suffer from unfavorable biodistribution and inefficient tumor targeting, which limit their efficacy as radiosensitizers. Herein, we developed ultrasmall AuNPs encapsulated in PEGylated liposome (PEG: polyethylene glycol, Au-Lipo) and optimized their PEGylated lipid composition to improve their performance as radiosensitizers. Au-Lipo formulation was synthesized and optimized to exhibit good stability and cellular uptake in vitro. Au-Lipo demonstrated a dose enhancement factor at 2 Gy (DEF2Gy) of 2.56 which tends to have higher value compared to the commercial AuNPs, AuroVist. Furthermore, Au-Lipo showed substantial tumor uptake in positron emission tomography with significantly improved tumor therapeutic efficacy compared to radiotherapy alone in 4T1 tumor-bearing mice (P = 0.035). These results suggest that Au-Lipo is a promising radiosensitizing agent, offering systemic injectability, enhanced tumor-targeting efficiency, and significant therapeutic potential for improving radiotherapy outcomes.

Affiliations

Jinyeong Choi 1, Gaeun Kim 1, Beomjin Park 2, Jiwoo Park 2, Shengjun Li 2, Wooseung Lee 1, Miyeon Jeon 1, Chiwoo Oh 1, Sangmin Lee 1, Sung-Joon Ye 1 3, Hyung-Jun Im 1 2 4 5
1Department of Applied Bioengineering, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
2Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
3Advanced Institute of Convergence Technology, Seoul National University, Suwon 16229, Republic of Korea.
4Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University, 03080 Seoul, Republic of Korea.
5Research Institute for Convergence Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.