Glioblastoma, formerly known as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), is refractory to existing adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. We successfully synthesized a complex, Au–OMV, with two specific nanoparticles: gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and outer-membrane vesicles (OMVs) from E. coli. Au–OMV, when combined with radiotherapy, produced radiosensitizing and immuno-modulatory effects that successfully suppressed tumor growth in both subcutaneous G261 tumor-bearing and in situ (brain) tumor-bearing C57BL/6 mice. Longer survival was also noted with in situ tumor-bearing mice treated with Au–OMV and radiotherapy. The mechanisms for the successful treatment were evaluated. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) greatly increased in response to Au–OMV in combination with radiotherapy in G261 glioma cells. Furthermore, with a co-culture of G261 glioma cells and RAW 264.7 macrophages, we found that GL261 cell viability was related to chemotaxis of macrophages and TNF-$\alpha$ production.

Radiotherapy (RT), in combination with surgery, is an essential treatment strategy for oral cancer. Although irradiation provides effective control over tumor growth, the surrounding normal tissues are almost inevitably affected. With further understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in radiation response and recent advances in nanotechnology, using gold nanoparticles as a radiosensitizer provides the preferential sensitization of tumor cells to radiation and minimizes normal tissue damage. Herein, we developed gold nano-sesame-beads (GNSbs), a gold-nanorod-seeded mesoporous silica nanoparticle, as a novel radioenhancer to achieve radiotherapy with a higher therapeutic index. GNSbs in combination with 2 Gy irradiation effectively enhanced the cytotoxic activity CAL-27 cells. The well-designed structure of GNSbs showed preferential cellular uptake by CAL-27 cells at 24 h after incubation. Gold nanorods with high density modified on mesoporous silica nanoparticles resulted in significant reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation after irradiation exposure compared with irradiation alone. Furthermore, GNSbs and irradiation induced more prominent DNA double-strand breaks and G2/M phase arrest in CAL-27 than those in L929. In animal studies, radiotherapy using GNSbs as a radiosensitizer showed significant suppression of tumor growth in an orthotopic model of oral cancer. These results demonstrate that using GNSbs as a radiosensitizer could possess clinical potential for the treatment of oral squamous carcinoma.

2-Amino-2-deoxy-d-glucose-grafted graphene quantum dots are non-metal radiosensitizers for achieving a simultaneous therapeutic effect on primary and distant osteosarcoma in X-Ray treatment.

Rare-earth doped nanoparticles (RENPs) have shown promise in biomedical imaging, particularly within the NIR-IIb region, due to their deep tissue penetration and minimal light scattering. However, challenges such as low extinction coefficients, narrow excitation spectra, and prone to quenching in aqueous environments limit their effectiveness. To overcome these obstacles, we developed a novel dye-sensitized, onion-like Nd-doped RENP nanocomposite to enhance NIR-IIb imaging performance. The onion-like Nd-RENP nanocomposite markedly enhances emission intensity at 1525 nm within the NIR-IIb range by reducing quenching and improving spectral overlap. The integration of an IR783-containing micellar layer further stabilizes the NIR dye, mitigating quenching and photobleaching. In vivo imaging studies demonstrated a 75-fold increase in luminance and a 9-fold improvement in photostability compared to free NIR dyes in aqueous solutions. Time-dependent in vivo studies confirmed the nanocomposite’s capability for prolonged imaging of vascular and tumor tissues, maintaining high-resolution images for over an hour. Additionally, the nanocomposite supported successful 3D imaging reconstruction of biological tissues. The dye-sensitized onion-like Nd-RENP nanocomposite presents a significant advancement in NIR-IIb imaging, providing enhanced brightness and photostability. Its ability to maintain clear and stable imaging over extended periods suggests potential applications in dynamic vascular and tumor-targeted imaging. This innovation holds promise for future biomedical imaging technologies, particularly in areas requiring high-resolution and long-duration monitoring.