Radiocatalysts inspire cancer therapy research

In 2016 the Cates group published a study on radiocatalytic activity of bismust complex oxides, which have possible application to external beam radiation therapy (EBT) Therein, Bi2WO6 nanosheets were found to be most effective at producing radicals under X-ray irradiation due there small size and two dimensional form. Now, a group from Shandong University has improved upon the catalysts with a biocompatible coating and applied the nanosheets to mice tumors. The radiosensitization effect resulted in a two-fold enhancement in dose response. This concept could be used to reduce the radiation dose requirements for EBT, leading to safer therapy.