Enhanced selective sonosensitizing efficacy of ultrasound-based anticancer treatment by targeted gold nanoparticles

partially_open9noThis study investigates cancer targeted gold nanoparticles as ultrasound sensitizers for the treatment of cancer.his study investigates cancer targeted gold nanoparticles as ultrasound sensitizers for the treatment of cancer. Methods: The ultrasound sensitizer activity of folate-PEG decorated gold nanoparticles (FA-PEG-GNP) has been studied on human cancer cell lines that overexpress folate receptors (KB and HCT-116) and another that does not (MCF7), at two ultrasound energy densities (8 × 10-6 J cm-2 and 8 × 10-5 J cm-2, for 5 min at 1.866 MHz). Results: FA-PEG-GNP selectively targeted KB and HCT-116 cells and a remarkable reduction in cancer cell growth was observed upon ultrasound exposure, along with significant reactive oxygen species generation and increase in necrotic cells. Conclusion: The combined use of targeting capacity and the ultrasound sensitizing effect, make FA-PEG-GNP promising candidates for the site-specific cancer treatment. © 2016 Future Medicine Ltd.partially_openBrazzale, Chiara; Canaparo, Roberto; Racca, Luisa; Foglietta, Federica; Durando, Giovanni; Fantozzi, Roberto; Caliceti, Paolo; Salmaso, Stefano; Serpe, LoredanaBrazzale, Chiara; Canaparo, Roberto; Racca, Luisa; Foglietta, Federica; Durando, Giovanni; Fantozzi, Roberto; Caliceti, Paolo; Salmaso, Stefano; Serpe, Loredan

Acoustic characterization of ultrasound fields able to induce sonodynamic activity in an in vitro cancer model

The corner stone of cancer management is by far chemotherapy, unfortunately toxicity and undesired side-effects of these antineoplastic approach often limit its usefulness. Recently it has been found that certain dye compounds non cytopathogenic per sé, in particular porphyrins, can achieve a cytopathogenic effect when the neoplastic site is subjected to ultrasounds irradiation, this technique is referred to as sonodynamic therapy (SDT). Despite the promising results, the poor reproducibility of the treatment, due to the poor investigation between the ultrasounds field parameters and the SDT activity, hampered the development of robust treatment protocol. Therefore the aim of this work has been the characterization of high intensity ultrasound fields needed to reach the SDT activity. First, by an ultrasound generator system, an in vitro sonodynamic treatment has been performed on HT-29 cell line, previously pre-incubated with 50 μg/mL of aminilevulinic acid, therefore a complete characterization of the ultrasound field in measurement conditions has been carried out. An ONDA type AIMS III scanning tank system with needle hydrophone ONDA type has been used and the real energy that hit the cellular culture in the burette has been evaluated. During insonation process the energy supplied to the cells has been about 5 10-6 J introducing, for the first time in the sonodynamic field, a clear parameter of energy supplied to the cells. © 2015 IEEE