Rapid, one-pot procedure to synthesise Pd:Pd@Au nanoparticles en route for radiosensitisation and radiotherapeutic applications.

The radioisotope palladium (Pd), encapsulated in millimetre-size seed implants, is widely used in prostate cancer brachytherapy. Gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) distributed in the vicinity of Pd radioactive implants, strongly enhance the therapeutic dose of radioactive implants (radiosensitisation effect). A new strategy under development to replace millimetre-size implants, consist in injecting radioactive NPs in the affected tissues.