title: Radiosensitising nanoparticles as novel cancer therapeutics--pipe dream or realistic prospect?
abstract: The field of high atomic number nanoparticle radiosensitising agents is reviewed. After a brief discussion of the new mode of physicochemical action implied by irradiation of high atomic number nanoparticles embedded in biological systems, a series of exemplars are discussed. Silver-, gadolinium- and gold-based nanoparticles are discussed in order of increasing atomic number with functionalisation strategies being outlined. In vitro and in vivo evidence for radio-enhancement and the mechanisms attributed to the increased biological effect are discussed.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, McClay Research Centre, Queen's University Belfast, UK. j.coulter@qub.ac.uk
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Coulter
authors.forename: W B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Hyland
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nicol
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Currell
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents
keywords: Cancer; nanoparticles; nanotechnology; radiation dose enhancement