Gold nanoparticles coated with antibodies lead to ROSdependent apoptotic cell death in non-cancerous human cell lines

In cancer radiotherapy, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have emerged as promising radiosensitizers increasing the effectiveness of external beam radiotherapy by local production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and secondary electrons upon irradiation. At UNamur, 5 nm gold nanoparticles coated with an organic shell of polyallylamine are produced by plasma vapor deposition (AuNPs@PPAA). Optionally, the AuNPs@PPAA can be conjugated to anti-EGFR antibodies (Cetuximab) (AuNPs@PPAACtxb) which actively target EGFR-overexpressing cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.