Modulation of cancer cells' radiation response in the presence of folate conjugated Au@Fe 2 O 3 nanocomplex as a targeted radiosensitizer.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of Au@Fe2 O3 core-shell nanoparticle (NP), with and without conjugation to folic acid (FA) as a targeting ligand, on radiosensitization of both cancer and healthy cells.

METHODS: Au@Fe2 O3 NPs were first synthesized, then modified with FA, and finally characterized. Radiation dose enhancement studies were performed on KB cancer cells and L929 healthy cells. NPs at the concentration of 20 µg/ml were first incubated with both cell lines and then different doses of 6 MV X-ray radiation were examined. The end effects were evaluated via MTT assay and flow cytometry using AnnexinV/PI kit.

RESULTS: It was indicated that viability of KB cells has a much lower rate than L929 cells when the cells were treated by {(FA-Au@Fe2 O3 ) + (X-ray)} regimen. Cell viability was even decreased significantly when X-ray dose increased. Moreover, flow cytometry studies revealed that FA-targeted NPs induced higher level of apoptosis for KB cancer cells than L929 healthy cells.

CONCLUSION: Our findings provide a new perspective on high ability of the synthesized FA-targeted Au@Fe2 O3 NPs which may be considered as an efficient radiosensitizer in the process of targeted radiation therapy of cancer.