X-ray Luminescence Nanoparticles Used in Photodynamic Therapy for Brain Cancer Treatment

Owing to local invasion and local recurrence, the outcomes of brain tumors are poor. Their prognosis is highly dependent on the degree of surgery resection; however, the margin of tumor is hard to define due to tissue invasion. Photodynamic therapy appears as a promising treatment modality, yet it is restricted by the short penetration of light source. Therefore, as for brain cancer treatment, the whole procedure should be done during craniotomy. We try to investigate LaF3:Tb, a luminescence nanoparticle; use its emission light triggered by X-ray to excite Meso-tetra(4-carboxyphenyl) porphine (MTCP), the photosensitizer, and then leads to photodamage to tumor cells. The LaF3:Tb nanoparticle is a biocompatibility nanomaterial; shows no significant influence in 3T3 cell viability and proliferation. The 9L gliosarcoma cells with LaF3:Tb and MTCP exhibit decreased viability under the X-ray irradiation. By means of Au coating, PEG conjugating on the nanoparticle surface, we can conjugate folic acid and MTCP as well, which improve the nanoparticle and photosensitizer’s tumor accumulation. The cell TEM confirms the cellular uptake of LaF3@Au-PEG-FA/MTCP. This model has promising potential to overcome the limitation of penetration, so that the treatment procedures are done in a noninvasive way which elevates the patient’s treatment quality greatly.