title: Cationic surface modification of gold nanoparticles for enhanced cellular uptake and X-ray radiation therapy.
abstract: A challenge of X-ray radiation therapy is that high dose X-ray can damage normal cells and cause side effects. This paper describes a new nanoparticle-based method to reduce X-ray dose in radiation therapy by internalization of gold nanoparticles that are modified with cationic molecules into cancer cells. A cationic thiol molecule is synthesized and used to modify gold nanoparticles in a one-step reaction. The modified nanoparticles can penetrate cell membranes at high yield. By bring radio-sensitizing gold nanoparticles closer to nuclei where DNA is stored, the total X-ray dose needed to kill cancer cells has been reduced. The simulation of X-ray-gold nanoparticle interaction also indicates that Auger electrons contribute more than photoelectrons.
authors.affiliation: Applied Mechanics and Structure Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, School of Mechanics and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China 610030 ; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA, USA 01609 ; NanoScience Technology Center, Biomolecular Technology Center, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA 32826.
authors.forename: Chaoming
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: NanoScience Technology Center, Biomolecular Technology Center, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA 32826.
authors.forename: An
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA, USA 01609 ; NanoScience Technology Center, Biomolecular Technology Center, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA 32826.
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Qiao
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA, USA 01609.
authors.forename: Peipei
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA 02115 ; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA, USA 01609 ; NanoScience Technology Center, Biomolecular Technology Center, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA 32826.
authors.forename: Liyuan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA 02115 ; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA, USA 01609 ; NanoScience Technology Center, Biomolecular Technology Center, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA 32826.
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Su