Synthesis, characterisation and functional assessment of the radiosensitising properties of novel CXCR4-targeted nanoparticles

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.