title: Nanoparticle augmented radiation treatment decreases cancer cell proliferation.
abstract: We report significant and controlled cell death using novel x-ray-activatable titania nanoparticles (NPs) doped with lanthanides. Preferential incorporation of such materials into tumor tissue can enhance the effect of radiation therapy. Herein, the incorporation of gadolinium into the NPs is designed to optimize localized energy absorption from a conventional medical x-ray. This result is further optimized by the addition of other rare earth elements. Upon irradiation, energy is transferred to the titania crystal structure, resulting in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS).
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The authors report significant and controlled cell death using x-ray-activated titania nanoparticles doped with lanthanides as enhancers. Upon irradiation X-ray energy is transferred to the titania crystal structure, resulting in the generation of reactive oxygen species.
authors.affiliation: Department of Engineering, Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom. helen.townley@eng.ox.ac.uk
authors.forename: Helen E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Townley
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rapa
authors.forename: Gareth
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wakefield
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Dobson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D028581:Lanthanoid Series Elements / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014964:X-Ray Therapy
chemical_list: D028581:Lanthanoid Series Elements; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D014025:Titanium