Fe(3)O(4) magnetic nanoparticle-enhanced radiotherapy for lung adenocarcinoma via delivery of siBIRC5 and AS-ODN

BACKGROUND: Radiotherapy is the mainstay treatment for lung adenocarcinoma, yet remains highly susceptible to resistance. Fe(3)O(4) magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) possess the ability to induce biological therapeutic effects. Herein, the current study set out to explore the effects of Fe(3)O(4) MNPs on radiosensitivity of lung adenocarcinoma cells. METHODS: Fe(3)O(4) MNPs loaded with both negatively-charged small interfering RNA against baculoviral IAP repeat containing 5 (siBIRC5) and oligodeoxynucleotide antisense (AS-ODN) to generate co-delivery NPs, followed by evaluation. Gel retardation assay was further performed to determine the binding ability of Fe(3)O(4) MNPs to AS-ODN/siBIRC5. The radiosensitizing effect of NPs on lung adenocarcinoma cells was determined in the absence or the presence of NPs or radiotherapy. A549 and H460 tumor-bearing mice were established, where tumor tissues were subjected to immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: NPs were successfully prepared and characterized. BIRC5 expression levels were augmented in tissues of lung cancer patients. Fe(3)O(4) MNPs enhanced the uptake of siBIRC5 and AS-ODN by lung adenocarcinoma cells. The presence of NPs under magnetic field reduced the BIRC5 expression and elevated the DR5 expression in lung adenocarcinoma cells. Lung adenocarcinoma cells treated with NPs exhibited inhibited tumor cell migration and increased DNA damage. After magnetic field treatment, tumors were better suppressed in the tumor-bearing mice treated with NPs, followed by radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: Findings obtained in our study indicated that Fe(3)O(4) MNPs-targeted delivery of siBIRC5 and AS-ODN enhances radiosensitivity, providing an innovative solution for the current clinically existing lung adenocarcinoma patients with radiotherapy resistance with a low risk of toxicity. [Image: see text] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12967-021-02971-7.