Journal
PHARMACEUTICS
Volume 13, Issue 4, Pages -Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13040442
Keywords
radiotherapy; gold nanoparticles; cisplatin; docetaxel
Categories
Funding
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
- British Columbia Knowledge Development Fund
- Canadian Foundation for Innovation
- University of Victoria
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About half of cancer patients receive radiotherapy for local tumors, but treatment doses are often limited by tissue toxicity. Radiosensitizing agents like gold nanoparticles and docetaxel can enhance damage to tumors while minimizing normal tissue toxicity. Combining these agents could potentially improve the effectiveness of radiation therapy and quality of life for cancer patients.
About half of cancer patients (50%) receive radiotherapy (RT) for the treatment of local tumors. However, one of the main obstacles in RT is the close proximity of adjacent organs at risk, resulting in treatment doses being limited by significant tissue toxicity, hence preventing the necessary dose escalation that would guarantee local control. Effective local cancer therapy is needed to avoid progression of tumors and to decrease the development of systemic metastases which may further increase the possibility of resection. In an effort to do so, radiosensitizing agents are introduced to further increase damage to the tumor while minimizing normal tissue toxicity. Cisplatin and docetaxel (DTX) are currently being used as radiation dose enhancers in RT. Recent research shows the potential of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) as a radiosensitizing agent. GNPs are biocompatible and have been tested in phase I clinical trials. The focus will be on exploring the effects of adding other radiosensitizing agents such as DTX and cisplatin to the GNP-RT platform. Therefore, a combined use of local radiosensitizing agents, such as GNPs, with currently available radiosensitizing drugs could make a significant impact in future RT. The ultimate goal is to develop treatments that have limited or nonexistent side effects to improve the quality of life of all cancer patients.
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