Aim: This 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.
Keywords: cancer; cancer targeting; gold nanoparticles; nanosonosensitizer; sonodynamic treatment; sonosensitizer; therapeutic ultrasound.