Nanopharmaterial is a term by combining pharmaceuticalmaterial via nanotechnology. Here we demonstrate this concept by developing a novel nanopharmaterial, so called 177Lu-Gold nanostar (AuNS). 177Lu is a therapeutic radionuclide emitting moderate-energy beta particles as well as gamma rays for SPECT/CT-based imaging diagnosis. Nanostar can target tumors by enhanced permeability retention (EPR) effectsowns the photothermal therapeutic potent. The core technology is to integrate radionuclidenanomaterial to perform a new radio-nanopharmaterial for tumor target theranostic purpose.

We have synthesized the LiYF4:Ce3+ nanoparticles – Methotrexate (MTX), targeting pancreatic cancer cells via folate receptors. Under ultralow 0.1 Gy X-ray irradiation (the lowest dose in the world, for 2-3 times), the nanoparticles can exhibit radiosensitization effect,radiosensitizing chemotherapy, because of MTX released by X-ray inducing photocleavage of NPA linker. The dual sensitization effect will enhance ROS production, DNA damage, cell cycle S phase arrest in pancreatic cancer cells. We have also demonstrated the excellent efficacy in AsPC-1PANC-1 xenografted pancreatic mice.