2026-10-07T22:26:30Z https://api.figshare.com/v2/oai

oai:figshare.com:article/32805149 2026-10-01T16:17:55Z portal_1172 item_type_8 month_year_10_2026

Synthesis, characterisation and functional assessment of the radiosensitising properties of novel CXCR4-targeted nanoparticles Xinyi Liu (186154) PUREID: 664344324 CXCR4 targeting gold nanoparticles radiosensitisation prostate cancer Nanomedicine Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are effective radiosensitisers due to their high X-ray absorption and unique physicochemical properties. However, clinical translation is limited by the need for large treatment concentrations and passive accumulation. To overcome this, an antagonistic CXCR4-targeting ligand was conjugated to the AuNP surface, enabling target specificity. Additionally, the CXCL12 rich bone-marrow niche promotes homing, survival, and outgrowth of CXCR4 expressing prostate cancer (PCa) cells, processes contributing to treatment failure. Our novel nanoparticle, CXCR4-targeted AuNP, antagonises CXCR4 signalling to counter resistance mechanisms while promoting targeted internalisation of radiosensitising AuNPs. CXCR4-targeted AuNPs, with a hydrodynamic size of 38 nm exhibited excellent colloidal stability under physiologically relevant ionic stress. Pre-treatment of CXCR4 expressing prostate cancer cells with CXCR4-targeted AuNPs resulted in radiosensitisation effect in PCa cells, an effect caused at least in part by impaired DNA damage repair. Notably, CXCR4-targeted AuNPs significantly reduced tumour-cell migration and invasion toward CXCL12 chemoattractant. Taken together, these findings position CXCR4-targeted AuNPs as a dual-functional nanoparticle, serving as an effective radiosensitiser with anti-metastatic activity.<br><br><i>Thesis embargoed until 31st July 2031.</i> 2026-10-01T16:17:55Z Text Thesis 10.17034/32805149.v1 https://figshare.com/articles/thesis/Synthesis_characterisation_and_functional_assessment_of_the_radiosensitising_properties_of_novel_CXCR4-targeted_nanoparticles/32805149 All Rights Reserved Open Access after 2031-07-31