X-Ray responsive nanoparticles with triggered release of nitrite, a precursor of reactive nitrogen species, for enhanced cancer radiosensitization

Abstract

New strategy to enhance cancer radiotherapy: A novel gold nanosystem with surface-grafted nitroimidazole and cell nucleus-targeting peptide achieves the release of a RNS precursor, nitrite, by ionizing radiation. In vitro radiotherapy shows enhanced sensitivity of hypoxic cancer cells to X-ray radiation, presumably due to the generation of both reactive oxygen and nitrogen species.