Human serum albumin-based KBiF4@HSA nanoclusters for dual-energy computed tomography and glutathione-scavenging radiotherapy of breast cancer

Abstract Background Breast cancer remains the most common malignancy among women worldwide. While traditional computed tomography (CT) scans and image-guided radiotherapy are widely used for breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, their efficacy is often limited. Methods and results In this study, we...

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Main Authors: Yuelin Huang, Zhenghai Lu, Huanhuan Liu, Ningxin Yang, Yanhong Chen, Chunting Wang, Weixi Huang, Jingjing Hu, Dengbin Wang, Defan Yao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-06-01
Series:Journal of Nanobiotechnology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-025-03530-8
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author Yuelin Huang
Zhenghai Lu
Huanhuan Liu
Ningxin Yang
Yanhong Chen
Chunting Wang
Weixi Huang
Jingjing Hu
Dengbin Wang
Defan Yao
author_facet Yuelin Huang
Zhenghai Lu
Huanhuan Liu
Ningxin Yang
Yanhong Chen
Chunting Wang
Weixi Huang
Jingjing Hu
Dengbin Wang
Defan Yao
author_sort Yuelin Huang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Breast cancer remains the most common malignancy among women worldwide. While traditional computed tomography (CT) scans and image-guided radiotherapy are widely used for breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, their efficacy is often limited. Methods and results In this study, we successfully synthesized human serum albumin (HSA)-based KBiF4 nanoclusters through a simple one-pot biomimetic mineralization strategy. Compared to the clinical contrast agent iohexol, KBiF4@HSA significantly enhances dual-energy CT (DECT) imaging contrast at high keV levels, offering improved diagnostic accuracy for breast cancer. Furthermore, KBiF4@HSA exhibits a remarkable ability to scavenge elevated glutathione (GSH) levels and promote reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. When combined with radiotherapy, KBiF4@HSA substantially increases X-ray dose deposition at tumor sites, leading to enhanced DNA damage and suppression of breast cancer progression. Importantly, KBiF4@HSA demonstrates excellent biocompatibility in vivo, with no significant tissue damage or inflammation observed. Conclusions This study presents a novel approach for the development of biocompatible DECT contrast agents and radiosensitizers, offering a promising strategy to enhance breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. However, the efficacy of this approach needs to be further validated across diverse breast cancer subtypes to ensure its broad applicability, which emphasizes the necessity for continued research to fully translate this innovative technology into clinical practice.
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spelling doaj-art-c6d5ee73c27c4877b74fa03ab6daae922025-08-20T02:37:35ZengBMCJournal of Nanobiotechnology1477-31552025-06-0123111910.1186/s12951-025-03530-8Human serum albumin-based KBiF4@HSA nanoclusters for dual-energy computed tomography and glutathione-scavenging radiotherapy of breast cancerYuelin Huang0Zhenghai Lu1Huanhuan Liu2Ningxin Yang3Yanhong Chen4Chunting Wang5Weixi Huang6Jingjing Hu7Dengbin Wang8Defan Yao9Department of Radiology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineDepartment of Radiology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineDepartment of Radiology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineDepartment of Radiology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineDepartment of Radiology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineDepartment of Radiology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineDepartment of Radiology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineDepartment of Radiology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineDepartment of Radiology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineDepartment of Radiology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineAbstract Background Breast cancer remains the most common malignancy among women worldwide. While traditional computed tomography (CT) scans and image-guided radiotherapy are widely used for breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, their efficacy is often limited. Methods and results In this study, we successfully synthesized human serum albumin (HSA)-based KBiF4 nanoclusters through a simple one-pot biomimetic mineralization strategy. Compared to the clinical contrast agent iohexol, KBiF4@HSA significantly enhances dual-energy CT (DECT) imaging contrast at high keV levels, offering improved diagnostic accuracy for breast cancer. Furthermore, KBiF4@HSA exhibits a remarkable ability to scavenge elevated glutathione (GSH) levels and promote reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. When combined with radiotherapy, KBiF4@HSA substantially increases X-ray dose deposition at tumor sites, leading to enhanced DNA damage and suppression of breast cancer progression. Importantly, KBiF4@HSA demonstrates excellent biocompatibility in vivo, with no significant tissue damage or inflammation observed. Conclusions This study presents a novel approach for the development of biocompatible DECT contrast agents and radiosensitizers, offering a promising strategy to enhance breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. However, the efficacy of this approach needs to be further validated across diverse breast cancer subtypes to ensure its broad applicability, which emphasizes the necessity for continued research to fully translate this innovative technology into clinical practice.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-025-03530-8BismuthDual-energy CTContrast agentsBreast cancerRadiotherapy
spellingShingle Yuelin Huang
Zhenghai Lu
Huanhuan Liu
Ningxin Yang
Yanhong Chen
Chunting Wang
Weixi Huang
Jingjing Hu
Dengbin Wang
Defan Yao
Human serum albumin-based KBiF4@HSA nanoclusters for dual-energy computed tomography and glutathione-scavenging radiotherapy of breast cancer
Journal of Nanobiotechnology
Bismuth
Dual-energy CT
Contrast agents
Breast cancer
Radiotherapy
title Human serum albumin-based KBiF4@HSA nanoclusters for dual-energy computed tomography and glutathione-scavenging radiotherapy of breast cancer
title_full Human serum albumin-based KBiF4@HSA nanoclusters for dual-energy computed tomography and glutathione-scavenging radiotherapy of breast cancer
title_fullStr Human serum albumin-based KBiF4@HSA nanoclusters for dual-energy computed tomography and glutathione-scavenging radiotherapy of breast cancer
title_full_unstemmed Human serum albumin-based KBiF4@HSA nanoclusters for dual-energy computed tomography and glutathione-scavenging radiotherapy of breast cancer
title_short Human serum albumin-based KBiF4@HSA nanoclusters for dual-energy computed tomography and glutathione-scavenging radiotherapy of breast cancer
title_sort human serum albumin based kbif4 hsa nanoclusters for dual energy computed tomography and glutathione scavenging radiotherapy of breast cancer
topic Bismuth
Dual-energy CT
Contrast agents
Breast cancer
Radiotherapy
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-025-03530-8
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