Functionalized Au@Cu-Sb-S Nanoparticles for Spectral CT/Photoacoustic Imaging-Guided Synergetic Photo-Radiotherapy in Breast Cancer

• Published in: International journal of nanomedicine Vol. 17; pp. 395 - 407
• Main Authors: Hu, Honglei, Zheng, Shuting, Hou, Meirong, Zhu, Kai, Chen, Chuyao, Wu, Zede, Qi, Li, Ren, Yunyan, Wu, Bin, Xu, Yikai, Yan, Chenggong, Zhao, Bingxia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Zealand Dove Medical Press Limited 01.01.2022; Dove; Dove Medical Press
• Subjects: Animals; au@cu-sb-s nanoparticle; Breast cancer; Cell Line, Tumor; CT imaging; Diagnostic imaging; Homeopathy; Hyperthermia, Induced; Materia medica and therapeutics; Mice; Nanoparticles; Neoplasms; Original Research; photoacoustic imaging; Photoacoustic Techniques; Phototherapy; Povidone; Radiation; radiotherapy; spectral ct; Theranostic Nanomedicine; Therapeutics; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Iran; China; radiotherapy; spectral CT; phototherapy; Au@Cu-Sb-S nanoparticle; photoacoustic imaging
• ISSN: 1178-2013; 1176-9114; 1178-2013
• DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S338085

Radiotherapy (RT) is clinically well-established cancer treatment. However, radioresistance remains a significant issue associated with failure of RT. Phototherapy-induced radiosensitization has recently attracted attention in translational cancer research. Cu-Sb-S nanoparticles (NPs) coated with ultra-small Au nanocrystals (Au@Cu-Sb-S) were synthesized and characterized. The biosafety profiles, absorption of near-infrared (NIR) laser and radiation-enhancing effect of the NPs were evaluated. In vitro and in vivo spectral computed tomography (CT) imaging and photoacoustic (PA) imaging were performed in 4T1 breast cancer-bearing mice. The synergetic radio-phototherapy was assessed by in vivo tumor inhibition studies. Au@Cu-Sb-S NPs were prepared by in situ growth of Au NCs on the surface of Cu-Sb-S NPs. The cell viability experiments showed that the combination of Au@Cu-Sb-S+NIR+RT was significantly more cytotoxic to tumor cells than the other treatments at concentrations above 25 ppm Sb. In vitro and in vivo spectral CT imaging demonstrated that the X-ray attenuation ability of Au@Cu-Sb-S NPs was superior to that of the clinically used Iodine, particularly at lower KeV levels. Au@Cu-Sb-S NPs showed a concentration-dependent and remarkable PA signal brightening effect. In vivo tumor inhibition studies showed that the prepared Au@Cu-Sb-S NPs significantly suppressed tumor growth in 4T1 breast cancer-bearing mice treated with NIR laser irradiation and an intermediate X-ray dose (4 Gy). These results indicate that Au@Cu-Sb-S integrated with spectral CT, PA imaging, and phototherapy-enhanced radiosensitization is a promising multifunctional theranostic nanoplatform for clinical applications.