UTDRO RESERCH DAY: 2026

Excited to share that our work was recently presented at UTDRO by both Muhammad Rafiq and Manjusha Muralidharan, highlighting two complementary projects focused on advancing radiation-activated photodynamic therapy (radio-PDT) for glioblastoma.

Muhammad presented our work on temozolomide co-encapsulated radio-PDT nanoparticles designed to overcome the limitations of conventional photodynamic therapy in deep-seated brain tumors. Using PEG-PLGA nanocarriers loaded with nanoscintillators, PPIX, and temozolomide, we evaluated therapeutic efficacy in U251 glioblastoma cells. The study demonstrated strong anti-tumor activity, including decreased AKT, PERK, and BCL2 expression, along with increased cleaved caspase-3, suggesting enhanced apoptotic response under low-dose radiation.

Manjusha presented a poster exploring biophysical enhancement strategies for radio-PDT using focused ultrasound (FUS) and microbubble cavitation to improve nanoparticle delivery across the blood–brain barrier. Using PC3 flank xenografts and intracranial GBM models the project investigates tumor response, vascular modulation, and nanoparticle distribution under combined nanoparticle, radiation, and ultrasound conditions. Multiplex immunofluorescence and imaging analyses are being used to assess proliferation, apoptosis, oxidative stress, DNA damage, hypoxia, and vascular integrity.

Together, these studies highlight the potential of physics-based, receptor-independent therapeutic strategies to improve treatment outcomes for aggressive and radio-resistant brain tumors like glioblastoma.