Abstract
Radiation resistance of cancer cells represents one of the major challenges in cancer treatment. The novel self-assembled fluoralkylated diselenide nanoparticles (fluorosomes) based on seleno-L-cystine (17FSe(2)) possess redox-active properties that autocatalytically decompose hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and oxidize the intracellular glutathione (GSH) that results in regulation of cellular oxidative stress.
Alkylfluorinated diselenide nanoparticles showed a significant cytotoxic and radiosensitizing effect on cancer cells. The EL-4 tumor-bearing C56BL/6 mice treated with 17FSe(2) followed by fractionated radiation treatment (4 x 2Gy) completely suppressed tumor growth.
Our results suggest that described diselenide system behaves as a potent radiosensitizer agent targeting tumor growth and preventing tumor recurrence.