Nanotherapy of cancer by photoelectrons emitted from the surface of nanoparticles exposed to nonionizing ultraviolet radiation

Abstract

Aim: We introduce a new method for selectively destroying cancer cell organelles by electrons emitted from the surface of intracellularly localized nanoparticles exposed to the nonionizing ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Methods: We propose to target cancerous intracellular organelles by nanoparticles and expose them to UV radiation with energy density safe for healthy tissue. Results: We simulate the number of photoelectrons produced by the nanoparticles made of various metals and radii, calculate their kinetic energy and compare it to the threshold energy for producing biological damage. Conclusion: Exposure of metal nanoparticles to UV radiation generates photoelectrons with kinetic energies up to 11 eV, which is high enough to produce single- to double-strand breaks in the DNA and damage the cancerous cell organelles.