Excretable, ultrasmall hexagonal NaGdF4:Yb50% Nanoparticles for bimodal imaging and radiosensitization

Abstract

Background: In this study, we report on the synthesis, imaging and radiosensitizing properties of ultrasmall β-NaGdF4:Yb50% nanoparticles as a multifunctional theranostic platform. The synthesized nanoparticles act as potent bimodal contrast agents with superior imaging properties compared to existing agents used for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT). Clonogenic assays demonstrated that these nanoparticles can act as effective radiosensitizers, provided the nanoparticles are taken up intracellularly.Results: Our ultrasmall β-NaGdF4:Yb50% nanoparticles demonstrate improvement in T1-weighted contrast over the standard clinical MR imaging agent Gd-DTPA and similar CT signal enhancement capabilities as commercial agent iohexol. A 2 Gy dose of X-ray induced ~20% decrease in colony survival when C6 rat glial cells were incubated with non-targeted nanoparticles (NaGdF4:Yb50%), whereas the same X-ray dose resulted in a ~60% decrease in colony survival with targeted nanoparticles conjugated to folic acid (NaGdF4:Yb50%-FA). Intravenous administration of nanoparticles resulted in clearance through urine and feces within a short duration, based on the ex vivo analysis of Gd3+ ions via ICP-MS.Conclusion: These biocompatible and in vivo clearable ultra-small NaGdF4:Yb50% are promising candidates for further evaluation in image-guided radiotherapy applications.

Nanoparticles for MRI-guided radiation therapy: a review

“…In in vitro studies, irradiation of C6 rat glioma cells with 2 Gy of X-ray photons reduced colony survival by 20%, compared to 60% reduction in the presence of the nanoparticles. No intrinsic toxicity was reported from the presence of the nanoparticles (Damasco et al 2021).…”

“…Damasco et al synthesised ultrasmall nanoparticles containing ytterbium and gadolinium as a multifunctional imaging and radiosensitisation platform (Damasco et al 2021). These nanoparticles were conjugated with folate, aiming to facilitate active targeting of glioma cell lines.…”

Emerging ultrasmall luminescent nanoprobes forin vivobioimaging

“…The injected NPs were almost eliminated from the body, showing a liver clearance of 55% and a kidney clearance of 40% over 4 days. 277 Overall, ultrasmall lanthanide NPs may be favorable to be excreted via both liver and kidney pathways, while largesized lanthanide NPs tend to accumulate in the body for a relatively long time. Nevertheless, lanthanide nanoprobes are body-clearable, which can be beneficial for long-term in vivo PL bioimaging.…”

Monte Carlo Simulation‐Guided Design of a Thorium‐Based Metal–Organic Framework for Efficient Radiotherapy‐Radiodynamic Therapy

“…As the second leading cause of death globally, cancer accounted for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020. [1] Several treatment strategies, including surgery, [2] radiotherapy (RT), [3][4][5][6] chemotherapy, [7] and immunotherapy, [8][9][10] have been developed to reduce cancer deaths. Among them, RT provides important curative and palliative treatments to more than half of all cancer patients.…”