Novel nanoparticle enhances radiation tumor killing

Highly effective even in the low-oxygen environment of tumors

Radiation kills tumors by creating oxygen free radicals that damage the tumor DNA. However, the lack of oxygen in the center of tumors blocks the production of free radicals, inhibiting radiation killing. NIBIB researchers have now designed a nanoparticlethat generates radiation-induced oxygen free radicals even in the low-oxygen center of tumors, dramatically increasing the success of radiation therapy.

Low oxygen (hypoxic) regions in the core of tumors results in strong resistance to radiation therapy causing cancer invasion and metastasis. Hypoxia, a common feature of solid tumors, occurs in the core region of most cancers, so developing therapies that overcome the tumor hypoxia problem is a critical goal for increasing the effectiveness of cancer therapy.