Abstract
Background
Nanocarrier systems have been used in the study of esophageal cancer (EC) and other diseases, with significant advantages in improving the non-targeted and nonspecific toxicity of traditional formulations. Some chemotherapeutic drugs and high atomic number nanomaterials have sensitization effects on ionizing radiation and can be used as chemoradiation sensitizers.
Methods
Aurum (Au) nanoparticles were modified by bovine serum albumin (BSA) and folic acid (FA), and were core-loaded with paclitaxel (PTX) and curcumin (CUR). The basic characteristics of FA-BSA-Au@PTX/CUR nanomedicines were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and Malvern Zetasizer. The encapsulation and release of drugs were monitored by ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry (UV–Vis). The biological toxicity and radiotherapy sensitization effect of FA-BSA-Au@PTX/CUR were observed by cell viability, colony formation, cell apoptosis, cell cycle distribution, and γ-H2AX analysis experiments.
Results
The prepared nanomedicines showed good stability and spherical morphology. The results of cell uptake and cell viability detection revealed that FA-BSA-Au@PTX/CUR could specifically target EC cell KYSE150 and exert a certain inhibitory effect on proliferation, with no obvious toxicity on healthy cells Het-1A. In addition, the results of the colony formation experiment, cell apoptosis detection, cell cycle distribution, and γ-H2AX analysis showed that compared with X-rays alone, FA-BSA-Au@PTX/CUR combined with X-rays exhibited relatively stronger radiotherapy sensitization and anti-tumor activity.
Conclusions
FA-BSA-Au@PTX/CUR could target EC cancer cells and act as a safe and effective radiotherapy sensitizer to improve the radiotherapy efficacy of EC.
Author contributions
GYG and WHZ conceived the study, and participated in its design and interpretation and helped to draft the manuscript. XJ participated in the design and interpretation of the data and drafting/revising the manuscript. JM performed the statistical analysis and revised the manuscript critically. All the authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Disclosure statement
The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Data availability statement
The data and materials in the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
Additional information
Funding
Notes on contributors
Guangyi Gao
Guangyi Gao is a doctor of The Affiliated Huai’an Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University and The Second People’s Hospital of Huai’an at the Department of Oncology Huai’an, China.
Wenhang Zhou
Wenhang Zhou is a doctor of The Affiliated Huai’an Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University and The Second People’s Hospital of Huai’an at the Department of Oncology Huai’an, China.
Xuan Jiang
Xuan Jiang is a doctor of The Affiliated Huai’an Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University and The Second People’s Hospital of Huai’an at the Department of Oncology Huai’an, China.
Jun Ma
Jun Ma is a doctor of Huai’an TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine at the Department of Oncology Huai’an, China.