Long-Circulating Au-TiO2 Nanocomposite as a Sonosensitizer for ROS-Mediated Eradication of Cancer.

Abstract

Although sonodynamic therapy (SDT) has emerged as a potential alternative to conventional photodynamic therapy, the low quantum yield of the sonosensitizer such as TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) is still a major concern. Here, we have developed hydrophilized Au-TiO2 nanocomposites (HAu-TiO2 NCs) as sonosensitizers for improved SDT. The physicochemical properties of HAu-TiO2 NCs were thoroughly studied and compared with their counterparts without gold deposition. Upon exposure of HAu-TiO2 NCs to ultrasound, a large quantity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were generated, leading to complete suppression of tumor growth after their systemic administration in vivo. Overall, it was evident that the composites of gold with TiO2 NPs significantly augmented the levels of ROS generation, implying their potential as SDT agents for cancer therapy.

• Authors: V G Deepagan, Dong Gil You, Wooram Um, Hyewon Ko, Seunglee Kwon, Ki Young Choi, Gi-Ra Yi, Jun Young Lee, Doo Sung Lee, Kwangmeyung Kim, Ick Chan Kwon, Jae Hyung Park
• Journal: Nano letters (Nano Lett) Vol. 16 Issue 10 Pg. 6257-6264 (Oct 12 2016) ISSN: 1530-6992 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 27643533 (Publication Type: Journal Article)