title: Harnessing nanoparticles to improve toxicity after head and neck radiation.
abstract: This article reports the evaluation of cerium oxide (CeO(2)) nanoparticles' ability to decrease xerostomia and radiation-induced dermatitis in mice after head and neck radiation. Mice were irradiated using an IC160 x-ray system. Two cohorts were included: (A) No-radiation and (B) 30 Gy/6 fractions, and were randomized into three groups: (1) saline, (2) 15 nM CeO(2) and (3) 15 μM CeO(2). Stimulated salivary flow and radiation-induced dermatitis were evaluated post radiation. Stimulated sialometry demonstrated improved salivary production in all CeO(2) groups in comparison with controls (flow: 204 vs. 115 μL/10 minutes, P = 0.0002). One week post radiation, G-III dermatitis decreased in the 15 μM group in comparison with controls (10% versus 100% incidence, respectively). There was decreased skin hyperpigmentation at 12 weeks in the 15-μM group in comparison with 15-nM and non-CeO(2) groups (50%, 70%, and 90% G-II, respectively). This study suggests that CeO(2) may be radioprotective for salivary production and reduces G-III dermatitis and skin hyperpigmentation incidence. CeO(2) as radioprotectant may be a feasible concept during radiotherapy.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  This study demonstrates in a mouse model that cerium oxide (CeO(2)) nanoparticles may provide an important mechanism in preventing radiation induced xerostomia, a common complication of head and neck radiation treatments.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research Institute - MD Anderson Cancer Center Orlando, Orlando, Florida, USA.
authors.forename: Rafael A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Madero-Visbal
authors.forename: Beatrice E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Alvarado
authors.forename: Jimmie F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Colon
authors.forename: Cheryl H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: Melissa S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Wason
authors.forename: Beth
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Isley
authors.forename: Sudipta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Seal
authors.forename: Chris M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Soumen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Das
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mañon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002563:Cerium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D002563:Cerium; C030583:ceric oxide