Synergetic radiosensitizing effect of Bi-Tb-doped cerium fluoride nanoparticles under X-ray irradiation on 3D tumor spheroids | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Synergetic radiosensitizing effect of Bi-Tb-doped cerium fluoride nanoparticles under X-ray irradiation on 3D tumor spheroids Boris A. Bokl, Nikita A. Pivovarov, Nikita N. Chukavin, Darya A. Vinnik, and 2 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8639263/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 11 Apr, 2026 Read the published version in Journal of Nanoparticle Research → Version 1 posted 9 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Radiotherapy is one of the most effective approaches to treat malignant tumors. Nanoparticles-based technologies are considered to be advanced strategies in radiotherapy due to their ability to both increase effectiveness and decrease side effects of the therapy. Unique physiochemical properties of cerium fluoride nanoparticles are making them prospective radiosensitizers. In this study, radiosensitizing activity of Bi-Tb-doped cerium fluoride nanoparticles (Ce 0.75 Bi 0.15 Tb 0.1 F 3 NPs) under X-ray irradiation was assessed on a 3D tumor spheroid model, based on EMT6/P cells. We showed a pH-dependent radiocatalytic activity of Ce 0.75 Bi 0.15 Tb 0.1 F 3 NPs under X-ray irradiation, demonstrating a 40-fold increase in their prooxidant activity under acidic conditions. Radiosensitizing effect of Ce 0.75 Bi 0.15 Tb 0.1 F 3 NPs was assessed via evaluation of tumor cell migration, viability and clonogenic activity under X-ray irradiation. Combined action of Ce 0.75 Bi 0.15 Tb 0.1 F 3 NPs (at a concentration of 1 mM) and X-ray irradiation (at a dose of 6 Gy) caused additive effect (coefficient of drug interaction (CDI)=1.02), resulting in a decrease of cell migration from irradiated 3D tumor spheroid. Moreover, the combined treatment decreased both viability and proliferation of tumor cells synergistically (CDI=0.63). Thus, Ce 0.75 Bi 0.15 Tb 0.1 F 3 NPs demonstrated the synergistic radiosensitizing effect in the 3D tumor spheroid model, suggesting the potential for using these nanoparticles to enhance the effectiveness of tumor radiotherapy. nanoceria cerium fluoride nanoparticles radiosensitizer radiocatalytic activity X-ray irradiation 3D tumor spheroid Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 11 Apr, 2026 Read the published version in Journal of Nanoparticle Research → Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 04 Mar, 2026 Reviews received at journal 19 Feb, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 19 Feb, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 18 Feb, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 18 Feb, 2026 Reviewers invited by journal 18 Feb, 2026 Editor assigned by journal 22 Jan, 2026 Submission checks completed at journal 19 Jan, 2026 First submitted to journal 19 Jan, 2026 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-8639263","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":593819247,"identity":"414e0e9a-d426-45ed-b5c2-66c4a0aa0766","order_by":0,"name":"Boris A. 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