PEGylated Molybdenum-Iodine Nanocluster as a Promising Radiodynamic Agent against Prostatic Adenocarcinoma

Inorg Chem. 2024 Mar 4;63(9):4419-4428. doi: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.4c00084. Epub 2024 Feb 16.

Abstract

The combination of photodynamic therapy and radiotherapy has given rise to a modality called radiodynamic therapy (RDT), based on reactive oxygen species-producing radiosensitizers. The production of singlet oxygen, O2(1Δg), by octahedral molybdenum (Mo6) clusters upon X-ray irradiation allows for simplification of the architecture of radiosensitizing systems. In this context, we prepared a radiosensitizing system using copper-free click chemistry between a Mo6 cluster bearing azido ligands and the homo-bifunctional linker bis-dPEG11-DBCO. The resulting compound formed nanoparticles, which featured production of O2(1Δg) and efficient cellular uptake, leading to remarkable photo- and radiotoxic effects against the prostatic adenocarcinoma TRAMP-C2 cell line. Spheroids of TRAMP-C2 cells were also used for evaluation of toxicity and phototoxicity. In vivo experiments on a mouse model demonstrated that subcutaneous injection of the nanoparticles is a safe administration mode at a dose of up to 0.08 g kg-1. The reported results confirm the relevancy of Mo6-based radiosensitizing nanosystems for RDT.

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma*
  • Animals
  • Iodine*
  • Mice
  • Molybdenum / chemistry
  • Photochemotherapy* / methods
  • Polyethylene Glycols

Substances

  • Molybdenum
  • Iodine
  • Polyethylene Glycols