Boosting Radioimmunotherapy by Functionalized Self-Assembled EGCG Nanoparticles Enhances Antitumor Effect for
Ruiling Xu1, Xiaowen Han1, Yunfei Sun2
1NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Technology Medical Transformation, Mianyang Central Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Mianyang, 621000, People's Republic of China.
International Journal of Nanomedicine
|March 26, 2026
Summary
Epigallocatechin gallate nanoparticles (BENPs) enhance ultra-high dose rate radiotherapy (FLASH-RT) by boosting ROS and DNA damage, improving anti-tumor efficacy and immune response. This study highlights BENPs as a promising sensitizer for future FLASH-RT clinical applications.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Nanomedicine
- Radiotherapy
Background:
- Ultra-high dose rate radiotherapy (FLASH-RT) offers reduced normal tissue damage but lacks superior tumor efficacy compared to conventional radiotherapy (CONV-RT).
- The tea polyphenol epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) shows potential in enhancing FLASH-RT by promoting X-ray-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and DNA damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate functionalized self-assembled EGCG nanoparticles (BENPs) as a radiosensitizer to strengthen the anti-tumor effect of FLASH-RT.
- To investigate the in vitro and in vivo efficacy, molecular mechanisms, biosafety, and immune-modulating effects of BENPs combined with FLASH-RT.
Main Methods:
- In vitro studies included CCK-8 and DNA damage assays to assess BENPs' sensitizing effect on 4T1 cells.
- In vivo validation involved tumor progression inhibition, molecular mechanism analysis (immunofluorescence), biosafety evaluation (H&E staining, blood routine), immune status investigation (flow cytometry), and immune response profiling (RNA sequencing).
Main Results:
- BENPs significantly enhanced FLASH-RT-induced apoptosis and necrosis in tumor cells, inhibiting tumor progression with good biosafety.
- BENPs-assisted FLASH-RT promoted dendritic cell maturation and increased cytotoxic T cells, B lymphocytes, NK cells, and memory T cells, indicating a "positive regulation" of the immune microenvironment.
- Upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines in serum confirmed the activation of immune regulation.
Conclusions:
- BENPs demonstrate potential as an effective sensitizer for FLASH-RT, offering new inspiration for its clinical application.
- The combination therapy shows promise for improving anti-tumor efficacy and modulating the tumor immune microenvironment.
