X-Ray Activated Photodynamic Therapy of Metastatic Ovarian Cancer via Molecularly Targeted Nanoplatforms

Metastatic ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women, primarily due to the limitations of existing treatments. Chemotherapy, though common, often leads to toxic side effects and drug resistance, while radiation therapy is largely untargeted, resulting in significant collateral damage. Since IL13Ra2 protein is overexpressed in ovarian cancer cells, this research aims to conjugate the IL13Ra2-targeted antibody mAb47 to silica (SiO2) encapsulated europium-doped yttrium oxide nanoparticles (Y2O3:Eu). Upon X-ray irradiation, Y2O3:Eu@SiO2 will produce ROS that leads to toxicity to tumor cells. The nanoparticles were synthesized using a urea-based precipitation method and silica encapsulation through the Stöber process. The mAb47 antibody was conjugated via EDC/NHS coupling. TEM analysis showed that the averaged core size of Y2O3:Eu@SiO2 is ~100 nm, with an average SiO2 coat thickness of 10-15 nm. Future studies will focus of treating ovarian cancer cells and in vivo cancer models with these nanoparticles.