title: Enhanced selective sonosensitizing efficacy of ultrasound-based anticancer treatment by targeted gold nanoparticles.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigates cancer targeted gold nanoparticles as ultrasound sensitizers for the treatment of cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  The ultrasound sensitizer activity of folate-PEG decorated gold nanoparticles (FA-PEG-GNP) has been studied on human cancer cell lines that overexpress folate receptors (KB and HCT-116) and another that does not (MCF7), at two ultrasound energy densities (8 × 10-6J cm-2and 8 × 10-5J cm-2, for 5 min at 1.866 MHz).
  
  
  RESULTS
  FA-PEG-GNP selectively targeted KB and HCT-116 cells and a remarkable reduction in cancer cell growth was observed upon ultrasound exposure, along with significant reactive oxygen species generation and increase in necrotic cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The combined use of targeting capacity and the ultrasound sensitizing effect, make FA-PEG-GNP promising candidates for the site-specific cancer treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical & Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Via F. Marzolo 5, 35131 Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brazzale
authors.affiliation: Department of Drug Science & Technology, University of Torino, Via P. Giuria 13, 10125 Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Canaparo
authors.affiliation: Department of Drug Science & Technology, University of Torino, Via P. Giuria 13, 10125 Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Racca
authors.affiliation: Department of Drug Science & Technology, University of Torino, Via P. Giuria 13, 10125 Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Foglietta
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Metrological Research (INRIM), Strada delle Cacce 91, 10135 Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Durando
authors.affiliation: Department of Drug Science & Technology, University of Torino, Via P. Giuria 13, 10125 Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fantozzi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical & Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Via F. Marzolo 5, 35131 Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Caliceti
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical & Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Via F. Marzolo 5, 35131 Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salmaso
authors.affiliation: Department of Drug Science & Technology, University of Torino, Via P. Giuria 13, 10125 Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Loredana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Serpe
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D002470:Cell Survival; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D000069453:Ultrasonic Waves
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; C552831:poly(ethylene glycol)-folate; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D006046:Gold; D005492:Folic Acid
keywords: cancer; cancer targeting; gold nanoparticles; nanosonosensitizer; sonodynamic treatment; sonosensitizer; therapeutic ultrasound