Low Z Target Beam Enhances Gold/Gadolinium Nanoparticle Mediated Cell Kill in Zebrafish Xenograft Model
Abstract
Nanoparticles (NPs) made of high atomic number (Z) elements have been shown to sensitize cancer cells to radiation beams generated from linacs in vitro and in vivo. This effect occurs due to the emission of secondary photoelectrons and Auger electrons. Gold (GNP) and gadolinium (GdNP) based nanoparticles are biocompatible, and accumulate passively in tumours due to the enhanced permeability and retention effect, and there is growing evidence that localized radiation-induced tumour vascular damage can be used to clinical advantage.