TiO2 nanotubes: photocatalyst for cancer cell killing

The present work reports on the use of self‐organized TiO2 nanotube layers for the photocatalytic killing of cancer cells. TiO2 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 TiO2 nanotube layers can be used for photo‐induced cancer cell killing. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) For the first time, self‐organized anodic TiO2 nanotube layers are used as a photocatalyst for the photo‐induced devitalization of cancer cells (HeLa G). It is shown that for the cancer cells in contact with TiO2 nanotube layers drastic alteration can be triggered upon UV light irradiation. Cancer cells reduce their size and a significant amount of them are killed.