Gold cluster encapsulated liposomes: theranostic agent with stimulus triggered release capability

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Oncology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Cancer poses a significant global health challenge, with treatment resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy being a major hurdle.
• Nanotechnology offers innovative solutions for overcoming cancer treatment limitations.
• Theranostic nanoplatforms are revolutionary for integrated cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a multifunctional theranostic nanostructure for improved cancer diagnosis and treatment.
• To co-encapsulate 2 nm gold clusters and doxorubicin within a liposomal formulation.
• To assess the nanostructure's efficacy in enhancing chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and X-ray imaging.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of liposomal doxorubicin co-encapsulated with gold clusters.
• Evaluation of gold cluster heating under radiofrequency electric field (RF-EF) exposure for hyperthermia.
• Assessment of drug release kinetics upon RF-EF exposure.
• Determination of X-ray attenuation efficiency.
• In vitro studies on colorectal carcinoma cells and irradiated cells.

Main Results:

• Liposomal doxorubicin with gold clusters showed high encapsulation efficiencies.
• RF-EF exposure induced significant drug release (20.2%) and reduced IC50 by half in cancer cells.
• The nanostructure exhibited superior X-ray attenuation compared to controls.
• Gold clusters significantly decreased the viability of irradiated cancer cells.

Conclusions:

• The co-encapsulation of gold clusters and doxorubicin in liposomes creates a potent theranostic nanostructure.
• This nanoplatform demonstrates potential for enhancing chemo- and radiotherapy efficacy and improving cancer imaging.
• The developed theranostic nanostructure warrants further investigation for diverse cancer treatment modalities.