Fig. 4

Efficacy analysis of GNP/DTX/RT treatment strategy in vitro. A Schematic diagram displaying the mechanism of radiosensitization due to GNPs. GNPs enhance the production of DNA damaging free radicals. B Setup used to irradiate cell samples. C Quantification of DNA DSBs present in cells 24 h post-irradiation. D Confocal images of cells irradiated with a dose of 2 Gy. Nuclei are stained in blue, and 53BP1 DNA repair protein are stained in green. E Comparison in the reduction of growth in cells treated with GNPs vs GNP/DTX post-irradiation with a dose of 5 Gy. * indicates 0.01 < p < 0.05, ** indicates 0.001 < p < 0.01, and *** indicates p < 0.001. Scale bar is 20 µm