Investigating the efficacy of radiotherapy and photodynamic treatments using gold nanoclusters carrying 5-aminolevulinic acid on the K562 cell line

Abstract

Background In this study, a nanosystem of gold particles functionalized with aminolevulinic acid was used in combination with radiotherapy and photodynamic therapy on the K562 cell line to increase treatment efficacy. One of the benefits of performing this project is to investigate the effects of two combined methods—radiotherapy and photodynamic therapy—on cancer cell lines, which are expected to be useful in cancer treatment. Methods The MTT test was used to assess cell viability. First, approximately 10,000 cells were seeded in 96-well plates. The cells were kept in an incubator for 24 hours and then treated with 1.25, 0.625 or 0.3125 mg/mL nanoparticles. In the next step, the plates were treated with a laser for 60 seconds and then 2 or 4 Gy doses of X-rays with an energy of 6 megaelectron volts or vice versa. Cell counting was performed using a slide hemocytometer. To measure MTT levels, commercial kits were used according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Results The results of this study showed that the most effective treatment method was laser irradiation before X-rays were applied at a dose of 4 Gy to K562 cells in the presence of gold nanoparticles (4 Gy X-ray + nano + laser before), for which the average survival rate was 27.0120%. Conclusions The results of this study showed that gold nanoparticles can be investigated and used as a new treatment option for all types of cancer as a complement to photodynamic therapy and radiation therapy.