TurboBeads magnetic nanoparticles functionalized with gold as a promising nano-radiosensitizer for potential breast cancer radiotherapy: In vitro study

The collateral damage induced in healthy tissue during radiotherapy is considered a major dose-limiting factor that diminishes tumor cell eradication and leads to unsatisfactory therapeutic outcomes. Therefore, introducing a radiosensitizer that can locally amplify the dose upon irradiation becomes an imperative challenge. The present study aims to enhance the efficacy of radiotherapy (RT) against human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) using TurboBeads magnetic nanoparticles functionalized with gold (MNPs-Au) as a nano-radiosensitizer. Compared with radiation alone, the combination of MNPs-Au with radiation significantly increased cancer cell death in a concentration and dose-dependent manner. MCF-7 cells treated with MNPs-Au of different concentrations (0.1-0.5 mg/ml) together with radiation at increasing dosages (1, 3, 5 and 7 Gy) resulted in a significant reduction in cell viabilities. Specifically, the apoptosis percentage for cells treated with MNPs-Au (0.5 mg/ml) and radiation (3 and 5 Gy) were 84% and 75% respectively in comparison with 15% and 53% for cell treated with radiation alone (3 and 5 Gy). Whereas, after the treatment with radiation alone at the same dosages, MCF-7 cells viabilities were (91%, 87%, 76% and 70% respectively). Moreso, upon nano-radiosensitization, the cell cycle analysis for the MCF-7 cells showed significant inhibition in most cell cycle stages compared to cells treated with radiation alone. Such enhancement in radiotherapeutic efficacy was attributed to (i) cellular uptake and accumulation of MNPs-Au in tumor cells that prompt radiosensitization, (ii) X-ray interaction with MNPs-Au induced high levels of low energy electrons and ROS in the tumor microenvironment, and (iii) the deposition of a high radiation dose in the tumor vicinity. Accordingly, TurboBeads are considered a biosafe product that surprisingly and effectively enhances the sensitization of breast cancer radiotherapy.

Automated summary

The study aimed to enhance the efficacy of radiotherapy against human breast cancer cells using TurboBeads magnetic nanoparticles functionalized with gold as a nano-radiosensitizer. The combination of MNPs-Au with radiation significantly increased cancer cell death compared to radiation alone.