One Pot Synthesis of PEGylated Bimetallic Gold–Silver Nanoparticles for Imaging and Radiosensitization of Oral Cancers

Background: Radiotherapy is an important treatment modality for many types of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Nanomaterials comprised of high atomic number (Z) elements are novel radiosensitizers enhance radiation injury by production of free radicals and subsequent DNA damage. Gold nanoparticles are upcoming as promising radiosensitizers due to their high (Z) biocompatibility, and ease for surface engineering. Bimetallic nanoparticles have shown enhanced anticancer activity compared to monometallic nanoparticles. Materials and Methods: PEG-coated Au–Ag alloy nanoparticles (BNPs) were synthesized using facile one pot synthesis techniques. Size of ∼ 50± 5nm measured by dynamic light scattering. Morphology, structural composition and elemental mapping were analyzed by electron microscopy and SAXS (small-angle X-ray scattering). The radiosensitization effects on KB oral cancer cells were evaluated by irradiation with 6MV X-rays on linear accelerator. Nuclear damage was imaged using confocal microscopy staining cells with Hoechst stain. Computed tomography (CT) contrast enhancement of BNPs was compared to that of the clinically used agent, Omnipaque. Results: BNPs were synthesized using PEG 600 as reducing and stabilizing agent. The surface charge of well dispersed colloidal BNPs solution was − 5mV. Electron microscopy reveals spherical morphology. HAADF-STEM and elemental mapping studies showed that the constituent metals were Au and Ag intermixed nanoalloy. Hydrodynamic diameter was ∼ 50± 5nm due to PEG layer and water molecules absorption. SAXS measurement confirmed BNPs size around 35nm. Raman shift of around 20 cm − 1 was observed when BNPs were coated with PEG. 1 H NMR showed extended involvement of − OH in synthesis. BNPs efficiently enter cytoplasm of KB cells and demonstrated potent in vitro radiosensitization with enhancement ratio ∼ 1.5– 1.7. Imaging Hoechst-stained nuclei demonstrated apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. BNPs exhibit better CT contrast enhancement ability compared to Omnipaque. Conclusion: This bimetallic intermix nanoparticles could serve a dual function as radiosensitizer and CT contrast agent against oral cancers, and by extension possibly other cancers as well. Keywords: bimetallic intermix alloy nanoparticles, radiosensitizers, nanomedicine, PEG, poly ethylene glycol, CT contrast, apoptosis