Functionalized Nanomaterials Based on 2D Flakes and Metal Nanoparticles Activated by Radiation for Antitumoral Therapy

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, affecting millions of individuals and accounting for approximately 10 million deaths annually. Traditional clinical approaches, such as Photodynamic Therapy and Radiotherapy, often have limitations related to low efficacy and significant side effects, highlighting the need for more effective cancer treatments. Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) traditionally relies on UV – near infrared light activation of a photosensitizer to generate Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) that destroy cancer cells. Recently, the use of X-rays as an external excitation source in PDT has proven effective due to their superior penetration capacity, extending the potential of conventional PDT to deeper tissues and overcoming the limitations of visible light penetration. Radiotherapy, on the other hand, kills cancer cells by the direct action of X-rays on biological tissues, leading to numerous side effects on non-tumoral cells. This study presents a novel patent-pending nanomaterial, based on functionalized 2D flakes and metal nanoparticles, designed as radiosensitizer and PDT mediating agent, that can be activated by an external energy source (light, X-Ray radiation), enabling to locally arrest the proliferation of cancer cells. In vitro experiments were conducted on HT29 human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells to evaluate the cytotoxicity and efficacy of the novel nanomaterial. Cell viability and oxidative stress were assessed at different times before and after the treatment with increasing concentrations of nanomaterial and irradiation doses. The optimal conditions to enable the highest efficacy were identified, as a range of treatment parameters that result in minimal cytotoxicity of the nano-system itself and maximum enhancement of irradiation-induced effects, able to induce a significant cell viability reduction.