Evaluation of Cherenkov-induced photodynamic therapy of biohybrid photosensitive graphene oxide nanoplatform in cervical cancer cells

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Medical Physics Research Center, Basic Sciences Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

2 Department of Medical Physics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

3 Pharmacological Research Center of Medicinal Plants, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

4 Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

10.22038/ijbms.2025.86535.18694

Abstract

Objective(s): During radiotherapy, weak photons of Cherenkov radiation are generated, which can cause a relative increase in tumor resistance and cause errors in the radiotherapy treatment planning process. In this study, we used a photosensitive biohybrid graphene oxide nanostructure (GO-BSA-CTAB-PpIX) to maximize the absorption of Cherenkov photons in a broader range of emission wavelengths in order to create the induced photodynamic effect resulting from Cherenkov radiation.
Materials and Methods: TIn the first stage, after the synthesis and surface activation of the graphene oxide nanostructure by EDC, NHS, and albumin, its conjugation process with PpIX was performed. In the second step, it was characterized using an ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer, dynamic light scattering, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray energy diffraction spectroscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy. In the third step, nanodosimetry was performed to prove the Cherenkov-induced photodynamic phenomenon. Finally, in vitro cellular studies were performed on the HeLa cell line (cervical cancer). The survival rate of different groups was measured using multiple MTT tests (24 to 72 hr), and the final results were statistically analyzed using GraphPad Prism software.
Results: The results show that the GO-BSA-CTAB-PpIX biohybrid nanostructure can be capable of generating various types of free radicals resulting from photodynamic therapy. This nanostructure inhibits cell growth by disrupting the cellular repair process through natural Cherenkov radiation during radiotherapy and creating an associated photodynamic effect (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Cherenkov radiation-based photodynamic therapy is a promising approach to address the challenges of photodynamic therapy and radiotherapy for cervical cancer.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences
Volume 28, Issue 10
October 2025
Pages 1392-1405

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