Sodium Chloride Nanoparticles Potentiate Radiation Therapy by Disrupting Osmolarity Balance and Enhancing Antitumor Immunity.

ABSTRACT: This study investigates sodium chloride nanoparticles (SCNPs) as radiosensitizers. In contrast to conventional radiosensitizers that rely on high-Z effects or DNA-targeted mechanisms, SCNPs potentiate radiation-induced cellular damage by perturbing ion homeostasis. Importantly, SCNPs by elevating intracellular sodium levels reverse the sodium/calcium exchanger (NCX), leading to calcium influx. This calcium surge not only amplifies radiation-induced cancer cell death but also activates the cGAS-STING pathway, leading to the production of type I interferons. In syngeneic head and neck cancer models, SCNPs significantly improve tumor control and long-term survival in combination with radiation, without inducing detectable toxicity. Mechanistic studies reveal that these therapeutic benefits ar

SUBMITTER: Zhan S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12464967 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature