AIM:
Gold nanoparticles have attracted significant interest in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Herein, we evaluated the theranostic potential of dithiolated diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTDTPA) conjugated AuNPs (Au@DTDTPA) for CT-contrast enhancement and radiosensitization in prostate cancer.
MATERIALS & METHODS:
In vitro assays determined Au@DTDTPA uptake, cytotoxicity, radiosensitizing potential and DNA damage profiles. Human PC3 xenograft tumor models were used to determine CT enhancement and radiation modulating effects in vivo.
RESULTS:
Cells exposed to nanoparticles and radiation observed significant additional reduction in survival compared with radiation only. Au@DTDTPA produced a CT enhancement of 10% and a significant extension in tumor growth delay from 16.9 days to 38.3 compared with radiation only.
CONCLUSION:
This study demonstrates the potential of Au@DTDTPA to enhance CT-image contrast and simultaneously increases the radiosensitivity of prostate tumors.
Butterworth KT, Nicol JR, Ghita M, Rosa S, Chaudhary P, McGarry CK, McCarthy HO, Jimenez-Sanchez G, Bazzi R, Roux S, Tillement O, Coulter JA, Prise KM.