Antibody-functionalized gold nanoparticles as tumor targeting radiosensitizers for proton therapy.

Aim: This study aimed at developing antibody-functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to selectively target cancer cells and probing their potential radiosensitizing effects under proton irradiation. Materials & methods: AuNPs were conjugated with cetuximab (Ctxb-AuNPs). Ctxb-AuNP uptake was evaluated by transmission electron microscopy and atomic absorption spectroscopy. Radioenhancing effect was assessed using conventional clonogenic assay. Results & conclusion: Ctxb-AuNPs specifically bound to and accumulated in EGFR-overexpressing A431 cells, compared with EGFR-negative MDA-MB-453 cells. Ctxb-AuNPs enhanced the effect of proton irradiation in A431 cells but not in MDA-MB-453 cells. These data indicate, for the first time, that combining enhanced uptake by specific targeting and radioenhancing effect, using conjugated AuNPs, is a promising strategy to increase cell killing by protontherapy.