nanobiotix

Traditional radiotherapy relies upon the absorption of ionizing radiation by molecules, most often water molecules, ultimately resulting in the formation of free radicals. Intracellular free radicals cause damage to a wide range of biological molecules including DNA which ultimately leads to cell death. The NanoXray particles enhance the amount of free radical formation in the cell containing nanoparticles.

A key advantage of the NanoXray technology is an improved risk-benefit balance due to the potential increase of local energy amounts in conjunction with increased efficacy of radiotherapy, while the risk of damage to healthy tissue is unaffected by NanoXray. The nanoparticles are inert and are only “switched on” upon exposure to any standard source of radiation and return to their inactive state upon removal of the X-ray energy source. The therapeutic effect is therefore controlled by the administration of external radiotherapy.

By significantly enhancing the generation of free radicals, NanoXray particles could change the clinical outcome and may also enable radiotherapy to play a larger role as a curative treatment.