Theranostic Gold Nanoparticles Functionalized with Aromatic Drugs for Oxygen Transport in Radiotherapy and Magnetic Resonance Imaging

• Grant number: 25/02346-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: October 01, 2025
• End date: April 30, 2029
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics
• Principal Investigator: Éder José Guidelli
• Grantee: Ettore Alves dos Santos
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 24/21657-2 - From Oxygen to X-Rays: Different Nanotechnology Approaches for Cancer Treatment, AP.R

Abstract

The treatment of hypoxic tumors is highly challenging, as low oxygenation can lead to resistance to conventional therapies and enhanced tumor growth. In this context, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have gained attention in medicine due to their ability to store singlet oxygen (O¿(¹¿g)), a highly reactive species with significant properties. PAHs are considered potential molecules for medical imaging techniques capable of detecting tumor regions with varying oxygenation levels. Moreover, they can enhance radiotherapy efficacy, as the release of O¿(¹¿g) or even O¿(³¿g¿) can potentiate treatments that rely on reactive oxygen species and molecular oxygen. The controlled retention and release of oxygen have recently emerged as a promising strategy to improve cancer treatments. However, concerns regarding the safety of PAHs remain unresolved. This project aims to develop hybrid nanoparticles with a gold core coated with aromatic drug molecules that are safe for human use, offering an alternative to PAHs. The gold core will enhance interactions with ionizing radiation, enabling singlet oxygen release upon X-ray exposure. Morphological and structural characterizations will be performed, along with investigations into the nanoparticles' ability to trap and release singlet oxygen under X-ray irradiation. Additionally, their potential to enhance contrast in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) diagnostics will be explored.