Natural Baicalein-Rich Fraction as Radiosensitizer in Combination with Bismuth Oxide Nanoparticles and Cisplatin for Clinical Radiotherapy

Abstract

Purpose Chemotherapy has been used in conjunction with radiation therapy to improve the treatment outcomes of cancers. Cisplatin (Cis) is a standard treatment that has been used as a chemotherapeutic drug in medical settings. However, the possibility of complications constrains the treatment due to the exposure of healthy organs to unnecessary radiation and the drugs’ toxicities. As a result, researchers have been looking for non-toxic chemotherapeutic agents which can be used as radiosensitizers, possibly produced from natural derivatives and nano sized materials. Methods BRF, Cis, and BiONPs were irradiated individually and in combinations with 6 MV of photon beam and 6 MeV of electron beams with 0 to 10 Gy radiation doses on MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, and NIH/3T3 cell lines. Then, the experimental sensitization enhancement ratios (SER) of each treatment obtained were compared to the theoretical dose enhancement factor (DEF). The interactions within the BRF-BiONPs (BB) and BRF-Cis-BiONPs (BCB) combinations were also estimated using the Combination Index (CI). Results BRF induced radiosensitization in all cells under 6 MV photon beam (SER of 1.06 to 1.35), and MDA-MB-231 cells only under 6 MeV electron beam (SER = 1.20). The highest SER values for BiONPs and Cis were obtained from MCF-7 cells under a 6 MeV electron beam (SER of 1.50 and 2.24, respectively). The theoretical DEFs were generally lower than the experimental SERs. Based on the SER and CI relationships, it was estimated that BB and BCB therapy methods interacted in either a synergistic or additive manner. Conclusion The BRF is found to induce relatively less radiosensitization effects compared to the BiONPs and Cis. The BB and BCB combinations have shown better effects with potential for becoming competently suitable radiosensitizers in breast cancer therapies.

Review of Phyto-Medical Extracts’ and Compounds’ Anti-Radiation Properties

“…Prades Combinations of BRF-BiONPs and BRF-Cis-BiONPs were assessed for interactions using the Combination Index. According to the findings, there was less toxicity to NIH/3T3 normal cells and higher toxicity to MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells [47].…”

Targeting the organelle for radiosensitization in cancer radiotherapy

“…For instance, some researchers have employed gold nanoparticles as radiosensitizers [58] . Additionally, other investigators have investigated the potential of combining chemotherapy with RT using bismuth oxide or bismuth sulfide nanoparticles [40] , and have also developed nano-prodrugs [59] . Several other emerging radiosensitization techniques are currently under investigation.…”

“…Moreover, their effectiveness is still limited by the accumulation in tumor tissue and the poor effect of inducing TME, such as ROS. Therefore, there is an urgent need to further enhance their RT effect by precisely controlling the size and shape of nanoparticles or modifying their surface [ 40 , 58 , 61 ]. However, the preparation methods for these sensitizers are generally complicated, and their versatility is limited.…”

“…Among these and other strategies, radiosensitizers can enhance the radiation sensitivity of cells, improve the effectiveness of RT treatment, and reduce its side effects. Currently, numerous new radiosensitizers have been introduced to clinical research, and some of these nano-preparations have already entered the clinical trial stage [40] . This will be discussed in the review, which is hoped to provide scope for the design of radiosensitizers.…”

Analysis of Novel Schiff Base-Fe Complexes Against Breast Cancer Cells’ Viability

“…In cancer treatment, various anti-cancer agents have been investigated to be used together with radiotherapy, known as chemoradiotherapy [56][57][58][59][60]. The potential agents could also be intended as prospective radiosensitizers [61,62].…”