X-Ray Activated Photodynamic Therapy of Metastatic Ovarian Cancer via Molecularly Targeted Nanoplatforms
Session Number
1
Advisor(s)
Dr. Chin-Tu Chen and Dr. Jeffrey Souris, The University of Chicago
Location
B116
Discipline
Medical and Health Sciences
Start Date
15-4-2026 10:15 AM
End Date
15-4-2026 11:00 AM
Abstract
Metastatic ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women, primarily due to the limitations of existing treatments. Chemotherapy, though common, often leads to toxic side effects and drug resistance, while radiation therapy is largely untargeted, resulting in significant collateral damage. Theranostic nanoparticle-based approaches, which merge diagnostic imaging and therapeutics, are foreseen as a valuable method that addresses these limitations. Therefore, we develop a synthesis of europium-doped yttrium oxide nanoparticles (Y2O3:Eu) for X-ray activated photodynamic therapy. The Y2O3:Eu nanoparticles were synthesized using a modified urea-based precipitation method and silica encapsulation through the Stöber process. While TEM analyses showed high aggregation among the nanoparticles from low zeta potential values, we see high potential for this new treatment method. Future studies will focus on reducing the aggregation through modified synthesis methods to increase surface charges for high repulsion between the nanoparticles.
X-Ray Activated Photodynamic Therapy of Metastatic Ovarian Cancer via Molecularly Targeted Nanoplatforms
B116
Metastatic ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women, primarily due to the limitations of existing treatments. Chemotherapy, though common, often leads to toxic side effects and drug resistance, while radiation therapy is largely untargeted, resulting in significant collateral damage. Theranostic nanoparticle-based approaches, which merge diagnostic imaging and therapeutics, are foreseen as a valuable method that addresses these limitations. Therefore, we develop a synthesis of europium-doped yttrium oxide nanoparticles (Y2O3:Eu) for X-ray activated photodynamic therapy. The Y2O3:Eu nanoparticles were synthesized using a modified urea-based precipitation method and silica encapsulation through the Stöber process. While TEM analyses showed high aggregation among the nanoparticles from low zeta potential values, we see high potential for this new treatment method. Future studies will focus on reducing the aggregation through modified synthesis methods to increase surface charges for high repulsion between the nanoparticles.