Enhanced Tumor Accumulation of Sub-2 nm Gold Nanoclusters for Cancer Radiation Therapy

Abstract

A new type of metabolizable and efficient radiosensitizer for cancer radiotherapy is presented in this study by combining ultrasmall Au nanoclusters (NCs, <2 nm) with biocompatible coating ligands (glutathione, GSH). The new nano-construct (GSH-coated Au25 NCs) inherits attractive features of both the Au core (strong radiosensitizing effect) and GSH shell (good biocompatibility). It can preferentially accumulate in tumor via the improved EPR effect, which leads to strong enhancement for cancer radiotherapy. After the treatment, the small-sized GSH-Au25 NCs can be efficiently cleared by the kidney, minimizing any potential side effects due to the accumulation of Au25 NCs in the body.

27 pages,10 figures Advanced Healthcare Materials(2014)

References in corpus (1)

• Size-dependent radiosensitization of PEG-coated gold nanoparticles for cancer radiation therapy

Cited by in corpus (3)

• Ultrasmall Au10-12(SG)10-12 Nanomolecules for High Tumor Specificity and Cancer Radiotherapy
• Ultrasmall Glutathione-Protected Gold Nanoclusters as Next Generation Radiotherapy Sensitizers with High Tumor Uptake and High Renal Clearance
• Storage of Gold Nanoclusters in Muscle Leads to their Biphasic in Vivo Clearance