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Review
. 2021 Sep 23;7(1):e10256.
doi: 10.1002/btm2.10256. eCollection 2022 Jan.

Radiation nanosensitizers in cancer therapy-From preclinical discoveries to the outcomes of early clinical trials

Colette Bilynsky  1   2 , Nadine Millot  3 , Anne-Laure Papa  1
Affiliations
Review

Radiation nanosensitizers in cancer therapy-From preclinical discoveries to the outcomes of early clinical trials

Colette Bilynsky et al. Bioeng Transl Med. .

Abstract

Improving the efficacy and spatial targeting of radiation therapy while sparing surrounding normal tissues has been a guiding principle for its use in cancer therapy. Nanotechnologies have shown considerable growth in terms of innovation and the development of new therapeutic approaches, particularly as radiosensitizers. The aim of this study was to systematically review how nanoparticles (NPs) are used to enhance the radiotherapeutic effect, including preclinical and clinical studies. Clinicaltrials.gov was used to perform the search using the following terms: radiation, cancer, and NPs. In this review, we describe the various designs of nano-radioenhancers, the rationale for using such technology, as well as their chemical and biological effects. Human trials are then discussed with an emphasis on their design and detailed clinical outcomes.

Keywords: cancer; nanosized radiosensitizers; radiotherapy.

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Conflict of interest statement

Authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Schematic of the radiobiological effects of nanoparticle radiosensitizers. Radiation‐activated NPs, or nano‐radioenhancers, enable sensitization of tumor cells to radiation by the synergistic production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) inducing oxidative stress, cell cycle arrest, and DNA double strand damage, and ultimately, cell death. Mitochondrial oxidation involvement has been highlighted in some studies as well., Created with BioRender.com
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Schematic of the 5R's of radiotherapy: DNA repair, redistribution, repopulation, re‐oxygenation, and intrinsic radiosensitivity. Created with BioRender.com
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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