Lipo-MGN nanoparticle hypoxia attenuation-mediated single-dose radiotherapy- and pH/ROS-responsive T1 contrast magnetic resonance imaging in hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract Tumor hypoxia is an important factor for developing resistance to radiation therapy (RT) and presents a bleak prognosis in cancer patients undergoing treatment for RT resistant hepatocellular carcinoma. Here, we present the synthesis of liposome-coated Mn3O4 (MGN) nanoparticles (Lipo-MGN) and investigation of their therapeutic potential with RT utilizing a HepG2 cancer model. According to in vitro research, Lipo-MGN effectively produced oxygen in the presence of H2O2 and significantly reduced the expression of HIF-1 in human HepG2 cells that were under hypoxic conditions. Lipo-MGN reversed the radio-resistance brought on by hypoxia and increased cell damage. When Lipo-MGN and RT were administered together in a HepG2 xenograft mice model, the tumor growth was delayed more than with RT alone. As determined by MR imaging, liposome-MGN also exhibited T1 contrast enhancement in tumor. According to these findings, Lipo-MGNs may increase the impact of RT by focusing tumor hypoxia. Hypoxic, radioresistant HepG2 cancer may be treated with Lipo-MGN in clinical studies.