Soutenance publique de thèse de doctorat en Sciences physiques - Shalini Iyer

Enhancing the immunogenicity of macrophages in radiation therapy using gold nanoparticles

Jury

• Prof. Julien COLAUX (UNamur), Président
• Prof. Anne-Catherine HEUSKIN (UNamur), Secrétaire
• Prof. Carine MICHIELS (UNamur)
• Prof. Henri-François RENARD (UNamur)
• Prof. Michel MOUTSCHEN (ULiège)
• Dr Dimitri STANICKI (UMons)
• Prof. Devika CHITHRANI (University of Victoria)

Abstract

This work demonstrates that polymer-coated gold nanoparticles can function not only as radiosensitizers but also as agents for macrophage reprogramming. Specifically, we show that these nanoparticles can repolarize tumor-associated macrophages from the immunosuppressive M2 phenotype to the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype—a process further enhanced by clinically relevant doses of X-ray radiation. Among the four nanoparticle formulations tested, 50 nm PVP-coated gold nanoparticles were particularly effective in promoting macrophage repolarization and reducing pancreatic cancer cell viability in co-culture, both with and without radiation. These findings highlight a promising strategy to enhance the efficacy of cancer radiotherapy.

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