Main Session

Sep 28

PQA 03 - Digital Health Innovation and Informatics, Patient Safety & Quality, and Radiation and Cancer Biology

2526 - Persistent Luminescent GOLC-Based Nanotheranostics for Enhanced Synergistic Chemo-Radiotherapy of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

10:45am - 12:00pm ET

Poster Hall - Exhibit Hall A

Screen: 2

POSTER

Presenter(s)

Tsai-Lan Liao, MS - National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Tinan City, Tainan

T. L. Liao¹, I. T. Chiang², H. F. Tu¹, M. H. Chan³, and F. T. Hsu⁴; ¹Department of Dentistry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan., Taipei, Taiwan, ²Department of Radiation Oncology, Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan, ³Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan., Taipei, Taiwan, ⁴Department of Life Sciences, National Central University, Taoyuan 320, Taiwan., Taoyuan, Taiwan

Purpose/Objective(s): Near-infrared (NIR) luminescent nanoparticles offer high signal-to-noise ratios and deep tissue penetration. Specifically, NIR-II long-persistence luminescence eliminates tissue autofluorescence and photobleaching, enabling background-free image-guided therapy. However, most remain passive imaging tools. For oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), radiotherapy (RT) is often limited by radioresistance. This study designs rare-earth-doped NIR luminescent nanoparticles as a multifunctional platform to enable active image-guided targeted chemo-radiotherapy.

Materials/Methods: In this study, La³?/Cr³? co-doped germanium oxide nanoparticles (GOLCs) were prepared using a mesoporous silicon dioxide template to limit nanoscale growth and ensure colloidal stability. The PARP inhibitor olaparib was loaded onto GOLCs and coated with cationic protamine (GOLC@OLA-PRM). The luminescent properties, morphology, and drug loading of GOLC were evaluated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), photoluminescence spectroscopy (PLE), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). In vivo pharmacokinetics, radiosensitization, and apoptosis-inducing effects were assessed using flow cytometry, Western blotting, and in vivo models.

Results: GOLC generates long-lasting NIR emission via a stable oxide lattice and Cr³?-mediated charge-trapping, achieving high-contrast, background-free imaging without continuous excitation. GOLC@OLA-PRM effectively suppresses OSCC proliferation and induces apoptosis. The high-Z GOLC carrier inherently radiosensitizes by increasing local photoelectric absorption, enhancing RT efficacy. Furthermore, La³? acts as a structural/electronic modulator; through lattice defect engineering, it influences radiation responses by enhancing defect-assisted charge dynamics and oxidative stress.

Conclusion: This integration achieves precise spatial correlation between nanoparticle localization, background-free imaging, and targeted drug delivery. By combining optical tracking with image-guided chemo-radiotherapy within a single system, this study establishes a versatile NIR luminescent framework, providing a materials-centric foundation for OSCC management and oncological nanomedicine.

Keywords: Near-infrared (NIR) luminescent nanoparticles, oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), radiotherapy