TiO 2 nanotubes: photocatalyst for cancer cell killing

The present work reports on the use of self‐organized TiO 2 nanotube layers for the photocatalytic killing of cancer cells. TiO 2 nanotube layers with different dimensions (diameter 50 nm and 100 nm, thickness 800 nm and 1.3 μm, respectively) were grown by anodization of Ti. Upon low dose of UV irradiation, the vitality of cancer cells cultured on these nanotube layers was significantly affected – the cells reduced their shape and size and a significant amount of the dead cells was found. These results demonstrate that self‐organized TiO 2 nanotube layers can be used for photo‐induced cancer cell killing. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)