Targeted gold nanoparticles enhance sensitization of prostate tumors to megavoltage radiation therapy in vivo

Goserelin-conjugated gold nanorods are internalized in prostate cancer cells via receptor-mediated endocytosis. When systemically administered, they accumulate preferentially in prostate cancers in vivo, and subsequent irradiation with megavoltage x-rays results in substantial increase in tumor growth delay. This foretells the possibility of clinical translational of this nanomedicine approach to enhance radiation therapy.446