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Enhancement of Radiation Cytotoxicity in Breast‐Cancer Cells by Localized Attachment of Gold Nanoparticles
Author(s) -
Kong Tao,
Zeng Jie,
Wang Xiaoping,
Yang Xiaoyan,
Yang Jing,
McQuarrie Steve,
McEwan Alexander,
Roa Wilson,
Chen Jie,
Xing James Z.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
small
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.785
H-Index - 236
eISSN - 1613-6829
pISSN - 1613-6810
DOI - 10.1002/smll.200700794
Subject(s) - cytotoxicity , colloidal gold , cancer cell , cysteamine , mcf 7 , biophysics , chemistry , cell , cell culture , in vitro , nanoparticle , materials science , nanotechnology , cancer , biochemistry , human breast , biology , medicine , genetics
Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) and modified GNPs having two kinds of functional molecules, cysteamine (AET) and thioglucose (Glu), are synthesized. Cell uptake and radiation cytotoxicity enhancement in a breast‐cancer cell line (MCF‐7) versus a nonmalignant breast‐cell line (MCF‐10A) are studied. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results show that cancer cells take up functional Glu‐GNPs significantly more than naked GNPs. The TEM results also indicate that AET‐capped GNPs are mostly bound to the MCF‐7 cell membrane, while Glu‐GNPs enter the cells and are distributed in the cytoplasm. After MCF‐7 cell uptake of Glu‐GNPs, or binding of AET‐GNPs, the in vitro cytotoxicity effects are observed at 24, 48, and 72 hours. The results show that these functional GNPs have little or no toxicity to these cells. To validate the enhanced killing effect on cancer cells, various forms of radiation are applied such as 200 kVp X‐rays and γ ‐rays, to the cells, both with and without functional GNPs. By comparison with irradiation alone, the results show that GNPs significantly enhance cancer killing.