Targeted sonodynamic therapy using protein-modified TiO2 nanoparticles.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Oncology

Background:

• Previous research suggested sonodynamic therapy using protein-modified titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO(2) NPs) for cancer treatment.
• This therapy relies on generating hydroxyl radicals from TiO(2) NPs upon ultrasound (US) activation to target cancer cells.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the cellular uptake of pre-S1/S2 protein-modified TiO(2) NPs by HepG2 cells.
• To evaluate the efficacy of the TiO(2)/US treatment on HepG2 cell viability and tumor growth in a xenograft mouse model.

Main Methods:

• HepG2 cells were incubated with pre-S1/S2 modified TiO(2) NPs to assess uptake kinetics.
• The TiO(2)/US treatment involved irradiating HepG2 cells incorporating TiO(2) NPs with 1 MHz ultrasound.
• A mouse xenograft model received direct intratumoral injection of TiO(2) NPs followed by ultrasound irradiation.

Main Results:

• Sufficient uptake of TiO(2) NPs by HepG2 cells was achieved within 6 hours.
• The TiO(2)/US treatment induced apoptosis and significantly reduced HepG2 cell viability by 54% at 96 hours.
• Repeated intratumoral TiO(2)/US treatment in mice significantly hampered tumor growth for up to 28 days.

Conclusions:

• Protein-modified TiO(2) NPs show efficient cellular uptake and are effective in sonodynamic therapy against hepatocellular carcinoma cells.
• The TiO(2)/US treatment demonstrates significant anti-cancer effects in both cell culture and in vivo xenograft models, highlighting its therapeutic potential.