Increased apoptotic potential and dose-enhancing effect of gold nanoparticles in combination with single-dose clinical electron beams on tumor-bearing mice.
High atomic number material, such as gold, may be used in conjunction with radiation to provide dose enhancement in tumors. In the current study, we investigated the dose-enhancing effect and apoptotic potential of gold nanoparticles in combination with single-dose clinical electron beams on B16F10 melanoma tumor-bearing mice. We revealed that the accumulation of gold nanoparticles was detected inside B16F10 culture cells after 18 h of incubation, and moreover, the gold nanoparticles were shown to be colocalized with endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus in cells. Furthermore, gold nanoparticles radiosensitized melanoma cells in the colony formation assay (P = 0.02). Using a B16F10 tumor-bearing mouse model, we further demonstrated that gold nanoparticles in conjunction with ionizing radiation significantly retarded tumor growth and prolonged survival compared to the radiation alone controls (P < 0.05). Importantly, an increase of apoptotic signals was detected inside tumors in the combined treatment group (P < 0.05). Knowing that radiation-induced apoptosis has been considered a determinant of tumor responses to radiation therapy, and the length of tumor regrowth delay correlated with the extent of apoptosis after single-dose radiotherapy, these results may suggest the clinical potential of gold nanoparticles in improving the outcome of melanoma radiotherapy.
Chang
Meng-Ya
MY
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Cheng Kung University Medical College, 1 Dashiue Road, Tainan 701, Taiwan.
Shiau
Ai-Li
AL
Chen
Yu-Hung
YH
Chang
Chih-Jui
CJ
Chen
Helen H-W
HH
Wu
Chao-Liang
CL
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004583:Electrons / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D006046:Gold / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006056:Golgi Apparatus / Q000737:chemistry; D008546:Melanoma, Experimental / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage
D006046:Gold