Faculty of Physics - University of Bucharest

UNIVERSITY OF BUCHAREST
FACULTY OF PHYSICS

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2025-08-20 22:50

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Conference: Bucharest University Faculty of Physics 2025 Meeting

Section: Biophysics; Medical Physics

Title:

Spectral characterization of photosensitizer-loaded nanosystems for photodynamic therapy of cancer

Authors:

D.E. DRĂGHICI (1,2), I.P. UNGUREANU (1,2), D. NAUM (2,4) A.C. BUNEA (3), T. BORCAN (3), A.M. UDREA (1), A. DINACHE (1), T. TOZAR (1), M. BONI (1), M.A. BADEA (3), G. STANCIU (1), L. NEAGU (4), I. LUNGU (1), P. GHENUCHE (4), D. DORIA (4), M. BALAS (3), V. NĂSTASĂ (4), A. STAICU (1), M.E. BĂRBÎNȚĂ-PĂTRAȘCU (2)

Affiliation:

1) National Institute for Lasers, Plasma and Radiation Physics, Magurele, Ilfov, Romania

2)Faculty of Physics, University of Bucharest, Magurele, Ilfov, Romania

3)Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Romania

4) Extreme-Light Infrastructure-Nuclear Physics ELI-NP, ”Horia Hulubei” National Institute for Physics and Nuclear Engineering IFIN-HH, Magurele, Ilfov, Romania

E-mail

diana.draghici@inflpr.ro

Keywords:

photodynamic therapy, nanoparticles, nanoemulsions

Abstract:

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) represents a promising alternative to conventional oncological treatments, offering increased selectivity and reduced side effects. However, the limited penetration depth of UV-Vis radiation restricts its application to superficial tumors. This study explores an innovative approach: X-ray activated photodynamic therapy (X-Ray PDT), which has the potential to target tumors located deep within tissues. The research involved the synthesis and characterization of two types of drug delivery nanosystems: nanoemulsions and rare-earth-doped nanoparticles. Six emulsions based on Kolliphor EL/castor oil were prepared, containing the photosensitizer TPP-SO₃Na and FeO3 nanoparticles (e-NPs, NPs, i-NPs, and NPs loaded with Dacarbazine). In parallel, Ce:TiO₂ nanoparticles were synthesized and loaded with the photosensitizers TMPyP4 and TPP-SO₃Na, with the potential to convert X-ray energy into light capable of exciting the attached porphyrins. The physicochemical characterization of these nanosystems was performed using techniques such as dynamic light scattering (hydrodynamic diameter and zeta potential measurements), UV-Vis absorption, FTIR and fluorescence spectroscopy. The rare-earth-doped nanoparticles, functionalized with photosensitizers, were biologically evaluated on breast cancer cell lines. Following exposure to high-power laser driven X-ray radiation, a significant decrease in cancer cells viability was observed. This study contributes to the advancement of modern therapeutic strategies based on nanotechnology and radiation physics, highlighting their promising applicability in the treatment of hard-to-reach tumors.

References:

1)Udrea, A. M., Smarandache, A., Dinache, A., Mares, C., Nistorescu, S., Avram, S., & Staicu, A. (2023). Photosensitizers-loaded nanocarriers for enhancement of photodynamic therapy in melanoma treatment. Pharmaceutics, 15(8), 2124.

2)Moghassemi, S., Dadashzadeh, A., Azevedo, R. B., & Amorim, C. A. (2022). Nanoemulsion applications in photodynamic therapy. Journal of Controlled Release, 351, 164-173.

3)He, L., Yu, X., & Li, W. (2022). Recent progress and trends in X-ray-induced photodynamic therapy with low radiation doses. ACS nano, 16(12), 19691-19721.

Acknowledgement:

This research was funded by the Institute of Atomic Physics through the project ELI-NP/RDI/2024_022; the Romanian Ministry of Research, Innovation, and Digitalization by Nucleu Program LAPLAS VII contract no. 30 N/2023, Nucleu PN 23 21 01 05.