The 2-deoxy-d-glucose capped gold nanoparticles: a novel material to enhance the efficacy of radiation therapy

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are well-established radiosensitizers due to their high atomic number (Z = 79) and ability to enhance radiation-induced damage in cancer cells. In this study, gold nanoparticles capped with 2-deoxy- d -glucose (2DG), glucose, and citrate were synthesized and evaluated for their cytotoxic and radiomodifying effects on normal (CHO) and cancer (HeLa and A549) cell lines. Characterization revealed average particle sizes of 15–25 nm (FESEM), negative zeta potentials (−10 mV to −35 mV), and surface plasmon resonance peaks near 520 nm (UV–Vis). FTIR confirmed successful surface capping, and XRD analysis indicated crystalline gold cores. Combining glycolytic inhibition with nanoparticels is a potential approach for treating cancer. In this context, we screened the cytotoxicity and radio-modifying efficacy of 2-Deoxy- d -glucose (2DG a glycolytic inhibitor) capped gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), Citrate capped gold nanoparticles (Citrate-AuNPs) and Glucose capped gold nanoparticles (Glu-AuNPs) in mammalian normal cell line CHO (Chinese hamster ovary) and mammalian cancer cell lines HeLa (Cervical cancer cells) and A549 (human lung carcinoma). Cytotoxicity study of the 2DG-AuNPs was carried out for the concentrations ranging from 5 to 150 μM. Study showed that the 2DG-AuNPs are non-toxic to the normal mammalian cells, whereas they are toxic to the cancer cells. Citrate-AuNPs and Glu-AuNPs were nontoxic in both the cells up to the concentration of 90 μM. Radiomodifying efficacies of 2DG-AuNPs, Citrate-AuNPs and Glu-AuNPs were evaluated in both normal and cancerous cells under gamma irradiation. The 2DG-AuNPs offered radiosensitization in cancer cells where as a significant amount of radioprotection in normal cells. To compare relative radiosensitization of 2DG-AuNPs in normal cells and cancer cells dose modifying factor was quantified. Citrate-AuNPs and Glu-AuNPs showed radiosensitization in both the cells while 2DG-AuNPs showed radiosensitisation in cancer cells and radioprotection in normal cells. This study suggests that, with differential cell killing and radio-modifying ability the 2DG-AuNPs can be as a potential candidate to enhance the efficacy of radiotherapy.