Issue 10, 2023

Prospects of nanoparticle-based radioenhancement for radiotherapy

Abstract

Radiotherapy is a key pillar of solid cancer treatment. Despite a high level of conformal dose deposition, radiotherapy is limited due to co-irradiation of organs at risk and subsequent normal tissue toxicities. Nanotechnology offers an attractive opportunity for increasing the efficacy and safety of cancer radiotherapy. Leveraging the freedom of design and the growing synthetic capabilities of the nanomaterial-community, a variety of engineered nanomaterials have been designed and investigated as radiosensitizers or radioenhancers. While research so far has been primarily focused on gold nanoparticles and other high atomic number materials to increase the absorption cross section of tumor tissue, recent studies are challenging the traditional concept of high-Z nanoparticle radioenhancers and highlight the importance of catalytic activity. This review provides a concise overview on the knowledge of nanoparticle radioenhancement mechanisms and their quantification. It critically discusses potential radioenhancer candidate materials and general design criteria for different radiation therapy modalities, and concludes with research priorities in order to advance the development of nanomaterials, to enhance the efficacy of radiotherapy and to increase at the same time the therapeutic window.

Graphical abstract: Prospects of nanoparticle-based radioenhancement for radiotherapy

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
21 Febr. 2023
Accepted
02 Aug. 2023
First published
03 Aug. 2023
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Mater. Horiz., 2023,10, 4059-4082

Prospects of nanoparticle-based radioenhancement for radiotherapy

L. R. H. Gerken, M. E. Gerdes, M. Pruschy and I. K. Herrmann, Mater. Horiz., 2023, 10, 4059 DOI: 10.1039/D3MH00265A

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