Intelligent design of polymer nanogels for full-process sensitized radiotherapy and dual-mode computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging of tumors
Changchang Zhang, Wenzhi Tu, Xuming Chen, Bing Xu, Xin Li, Chaolei Hu, Mingwu Shen, Shaoli Song, Chunjuan Jiang, Shengyu Yao, Andrij Pich, Yong Liu, Xiangyang Shi
Abstract
Rationale: Development of intelligent radiosensitization nanoplatforms for imaging-guided tumor radiotherapy (RT) remains challenging. We report here the construction of an intelligent nanoplatform based on poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) (PVCL) nanogels (NGs) co-loaded with gold (Au) and manganese dioxide (MnO2) nanoparticles (NPs) for dual-mode computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance (MR) imaging-guided "full-process" sensitized RT of tumors. Methods: PVCL NGs were synthesized via precipitation polymerization and in situ loaded with Au and MnO2 NPs. The created PVCL-Au-MnO2 NGs were well characterized and systematically examined in their cytotoxicity, cellular uptake, intracellular oxygen and OH production, and cell cycle arrest in vitro, evaluated to disclose their RT sensitization effects of cancer cells and a tumor model, and assessed to validate their dual-mode CT/MR imaging potential, pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and biosafety in vivo.