Scientists say nanoparticles may help kill tumors

[Joanne98]

Source: Reuters


LONDON (Reuters) - British scientists are developing ways to use nanoparticles as tiny magnets that can heat up and kill cancer cells without harming healthy cells around them.

The researchers have found that iron-oxide nanoparticles can be attached to cancer-seeking antibodies, or injected into cancer-seeking stem cells, which take them straight to the tumors they need to kill.

Heating the cells to just 5 or 6 degrees Celsius above body temperature, in a new device called a magnetic alternating current hyperthermia (MACH) machine, can kill the cancer cells.

The researchers said the MACH device was like a microwave, heating only targeted cells.

"This offers a new way to treat cancer," the team from University College London (UCL) told a briefing on Monday.

"If we get the magnetic particles to migrate to cancer cells, we can kill only the cancer cells, leaving the healthy cells unharmed -- the ultimate targeted therapy."

The scientists said the work was at an early stage and no tests had yet been done on humans. They predicted another decade of developing, refining and testing the techniques before they could be licensed to treat cancer.

"We are aiming to be ready to go to clinical trials at the end of three years," said Quentin Pankhurst, professor of physics at UCL.

The scientists said they had already seen the stem cell delivery technique work in mice.


Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUSTRE5943TZ20091005

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

1. My brother's entering round 2 of his battle with cancer. How i wish that this method

would work and would have been tested earlier.

[loudsue]

3. I wish your brother the best of luck w/ his treatment.

A very close friend of mine is going through radiation for a brain tumor -- it is awful what is happening through all of this for her.

:grouphug:

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

4. Thank you. He went through hell the first time. After everything seemed to be OK.

They have found a small growth (Nasopharyngeal carcinoma). This time though they can actually go in surgically and remove it. Guess what? The universal health care that we have in Puerto Rico saved his life the first time. The doctors are very optimistic now. So we'll see.

[Soylent Brice]

2. K&R

[DetlefK]

5. I bet, they are using molecular nanomagnets instead of the pure metal.

Metallo-organic molecules can be magnetic as well and are a recent hot topic of research. And it is common just to mention the metal-filling inside, and leave the organic shell unmentioned.

The method to kill cancer is fairly simple: You need a magnetic dipole. Then you apply an alternating magnetic field with the appropriate frequency. The magnetic field induces an electromagnetic wave. And if the frequency is right, you get microwaves. Voilà: a microwave-oven.

And how do you get this mini-ovens to the cancer cells? By adding the right bio-chemical attachments to the hull of the magnets, so the will seek the chemical signature of cancer cells.

(It's not like healthy cells won't get read any radiation at all. They will get a little bit.)

[LeftHander]

6. Or create them....nt

[DetlefK]

7. It always depends on the kind of radiation: Microwaves don't mutate, they cook

Microwaves have a special attribute: They have the right frequency to induce rotation and vibration of water molecules. (They heat water, but not fat.)

Though, they are not strong enough to cause a mutation. In that case, you should worry more about the radioactivity from milk (Calcium) and cement.

[Odin2005]

10. The technophobes arrive, right on cue...

:eyes:

[TrogL]

8. How about a nanotech kidney

A bunch of tiny dialysis bots shouldn't be too hard to build.

[Odin2005]

9. Yay for nanotechnology!

Nanotech and Biotech are the future of medicine.

[No Elephants]

11. Let it be. Please. K & R

[Zhade]

12. You know what else does that's far cheaper? Marijuana.

NT!