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Nanoparticle-aided external beam radiotherapy leveraging the Čerenkov effect.
Zi Ouyang1, Bo Liu2, Sayeda Yasmin-Karim3
1Department of Radiation Oncology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Medical Physics Program, Department of Physics and Applied Physics, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA.
This study explores using titanium dioxide nanoparticles with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) to enhance cancer cell damage via Čerenkov radiation (CR). Results show CR can significantly boost therapeutic gain in nanoparticle-aided EBRT.
Area of Science:
- Medical Physics
- Nanotechnology
- Radiation Oncology
Background:
- External beam radiotherapy (EBRT) is a cornerstone of cancer treatment.
- Čerenkov radiation (CR) is a byproduct of high-energy radiation interactions.
- Exploiting CR for therapeutic gain in EBRT remains an underexplored area.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the feasibility of using titanium dioxide nanoparticles (NPs) to enhance CR-induced damage during EBRT.
- To assess the delivery and distribution of NPs via novel radiotherapy biomaterials.
- To experimentally validate CR-enhanced therapeutic effects in cancer cells.
Main Methods:
- Monte Carlo simulations to calculate CR yield and compare it with radionuclide sources.
- Modeling intratumoral NP distribution from radiotherapy biomaterials (fiducials).
- In vitro irradiation of human lung cancer cells with and without titania NPs using 6MV radiation, followed by clonogenic assays.
Main Results:
- Calculated CR yield from 6MV radiation was higher than from relevant radionuclides.
- Radiotherapy biomaterials can deliver titania NPs intratumorally, achieving therapeutic concentrations.
- In vitro studies demonstrated significant enhancement of cancer cell damage with titania NPs during EBRT.
Conclusions:
- Čerenkov radiation (CR) in megavoltage external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) holds potential for therapeutic gain.
- Titanium dioxide nanoparticles delivered via biomaterials can augment CR-induced damage.
- This nanoparticle-aided EBRT approach powered by the Čerenkov effect warrants further investigation.
