Biodegradable hafnium-doped CaCO₃ nanoparticles as a dual-modality radiosensitizer for cancer radiotherapy

Aim: Radiotherapy employs high-energy ionizing radiation to inflict DNA damage on cancer cells, thereby causing their demise. However, this procedure can inadvertently harm healthy tissue. Thus, this study aimed to develop biodegradable radiosensitizers that counteract these adverse effects by enhancing the radiation sensitivity of tumor cells and safeguarding normal cells. Materials & methods: A biodegradable radiosensitizer was engineered by incorporating hafnium ions (Hf) into calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) nanoparticles via a chemical precipitation technique, resulting in the formation of Hf:CaCO₃ nanoparticles. Results & conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that Hf:CaCO₃ nanoparticles exhibit pH-dependent solubility and can augment the efficacy of radiotherapy in treating cancer cells. This research underscores the potential of Hf:CaCO₃ nanoparticles as a dual-modality radiosensitizer in radiotherapy.