Valentin Calugaru1, Nicolas Magné2, Joel Hérault3, Sylvie Bonvalot4, Christophe Le Tourneau5, Juliette Thariat6. 1. Institut Curie, département d'oncologie radiothérapie, 26, rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France. Electronic address: valentin.calugaru@curie.fr. 2. Institut de cancérologie Lucien-Neuwirth, département de radiothérapie, 108 bis, avenue Albert-Raimond, 42270 Saint-Priest-en-Jarez, France; Université Jean-Monnet, faculté de médecine Jacques-Lisfranc, 15, rue Ambroise-Paré, 42100 Saint-Étienne, France; Université de Lyon 1, faculté de médecine Lyon-Sud, laboratoire de radiobiologie cellulaire et moléculaire, EMR3738, équipe 4, 165, chemin du Petit-Revoyet, 69921 Oullins, France. 3. Centre Lacassagne, département d'oncologie radiothérapie, Cyclotron médical, 33, avenue Valembrose, 06100 Nice, France. 4. Institut Gustave-Roussy, département de chirurgie, 144, rue Edouard-Vaillant, 94805 Villejuif cedex, France. 5. Institut Curie, département d'oncologie médicale, 26, rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France; Institut Curie, unité Inserm U900, 33, rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France. 6. Centre Lacassagne, département d'oncologie radiothérapie, Cyclotron médical, 33, avenue Valembrose, 06100 Nice, France; Centre Lacassagne, département d'oncopharmacologie UE3836, 33, avenue Valembrose, 06100 Nice, France.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Nanoparticles have emerged in oncology as new therapeutic agents of distinct biochemical and physical properties, and pharmacokinetics. Current rationale and clinical applications in combination with radiation therapy were analyzed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A review of the literature was conducted on nanoparticles as radiosensitizers, with a focus on metallic nanoparticles and radiosensitization mechanisms. RESULTS: Nanoparticles are mainly used as vectors for drugs or to potentiate dose deposit selectively in irradiated tissues. Preclinical data suggest a predominating effect in the kilovoltage range through a photoelectric effect and a potential in the megavoltage range under a combination of physical and biochemical (diameter, concentration, site of infusion etc) conditions. Several clinical trials are ongoing with metallic/crystalline nanoparticles. CONCLUSION: Nanoparticles have shown a potential for better therapeutic index with radiation therapy, which is being increasingly investigated clinically.
BACKGROUND: Nanoparticles have emerged in oncology as new therapeutic agents of distinct biochemical and physical properties, and pharmacokinetics. Current rationale and clinical applications in combination with radiation therapy were analyzed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A review of the literature was conducted on nanoparticles as radiosensitizers, with a focus on metallic nanoparticles and radiosensitization mechanisms. RESULTS: Nanoparticles are mainly used as vectors for drugs or to potentiate dose deposit selectively in irradiated tissues. Preclinical data suggest a predominating effect in the kilovoltage range through a photoelectric effect and a potential in the megavoltage range under a combination of physical and biochemical (diameter, concentration, site of infusion etc) conditions. Several clinical trials are ongoing with metallic/crystalline nanoparticles. CONCLUSION: Nanoparticles have shown a potential for better therapeutic index with radiation therapy, which is being increasingly investigated clinically.