A transformable gold nanocluster aggregate-based synergistic strategy for potentiated radiation/gene cancer therapy

J Mater Chem B. 2021 Mar 11;9(9):2314-2322. doi: 10.1039/d0tb02986f.

Abstract

Nano-radiosensitizers provide a powerful tool for cancer radiation therapy. However, their limited tumor retention/penetration and the inherent or adaptive radiation resistance of tumor cells hamper the clinical success of radiation therapy. Herein, we report a synergistic strategy for potentiated cancer radiation/gene therapy based on transformable gold nanocluster aggregates loaded with antisense oligonucleotide-targeting survivin mRNA (named AuNC-ASON). AuNC-ASON exhibited acidic pH-triggered structure splitting from a gold nanocluster aggregate (around 80 nm) to gold nanocluster (<2 nm), leading to the tumor microenvironment-responsive size transformation of the nano-radiosensitizer and activated release of the loaded antisense oligonucleotides to perform gene silencing. The in vitro experiments demonstrated that AuNC-ASON could amplify and improve the radio-sensitivity of tumor cells (the sensitization enhancement ratio was about 1.81) as a result of the synergistic effect of the transformable gold nanocluster radiosensitizer and survivin gene interference. Remarkably, the size transformation capability realized the high tumor retention/penetration and renal metabolism of AuNC-ASON in vivo and boosted the radio-susceptibility of cancer cells with the assistance of survivin gene interference, synergistically achieving potentiated tumor radiation/gene therapy. The proposed concept of transformable nano-radiosensitizer aggregate-based synergistic therapy can be utilized as a general strategy to guide the design of activatable multifunctional nanosystems for cancer theranostics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry*
  • Drug Liberation
  • Gene Silencing
  • Genetic Therapy*
  • Gold / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Oligonucleotides, Antisense / chemistry
  • Oligonucleotides, Antisense / genetics
  • Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / chemistry
  • Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / pharmacology
  • Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Drug Carriers
  • Oligonucleotides, Antisense
  • Radiation-Sensitizing Agents
  • Gold