AS1411 aptamer-targeted gold nanoclusters effect on the enhancement of radiation therapy efficacy in breast tumor-bearing mice.

Aim: Herein, the AS1411 aptamer-targeted ultrasmall gold nanoclusters (GNCs) were assessed at different aspects as a radiosensitizer.
Materials & Methods: AS1411 aptamer-conjugated gold nanoclusters (Apt-GNCs) efficacy was evaluated at cancer cells targeting, radiosensitizing effect, tumor targeting, and biocompatibility in breast tumor-bearing mice.
Results: Flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy exhibited more cellular uptake for Apt-GNCs in comparison with GNCs. In addition, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry results demonstrated its effective tumor targeting as the tumors' gold content for GNCs and Apt-GNCs were 8.53 and 15.33 μg/g, respectively. Apt-GNCs significantly enhanced radiotherapy efficacy as mean tumors' volume decreased about 39% and 9 days increase in the mice survival was observed. Both GNCs and Apt-GNCs were biocompatible.
Conclusion: The Apt-GNCs is a novel and efficient  radiosensitizer.