Fluorinated diselenide nanoparticles for radiosensitizing therapy of cancer

Abstract

Radiation resistance of cancer cells represents one of the major challenges in cancer treatment. The novel self-assembled fluoralkylated diselenide nanoparticles (fluorosomes) based on seleno-l-cystine (17FSe₂) possess redox-active properties that autocatalytically decompose hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and oxidize the intracellular glutathione (GSH) that results in regulation of cellular oxidative stress. Alkylfluorinated diselenide nanoparticles showed a significant cytotoxic and radiosensitizing effect on cancer cells. The EL-4 tumor-bearing C56BL/6 mice treated with 17FSe₂ followed by fractionated radiation treatment (4 × 2Gy) completely suppressed tumor growth. Our results suggest that described diselenide system behaves as a potent radiosensitizer agent targeting tumor growth and preventing tumor recurrence.

Keywords: Diselenide; Fluorosomes; Hypoxia; Radiosensitizers; Redox systems; Self-assembly nanoparticles.