Using Nanoparticles of Attack Tumor Cells

Researchers from the University of Chicago’s Brain Tumor center have recently developed a novel technique for combating brain tumors. Their new method allows scientists and doctors to target brain tumor cells specifically, while leaving healthy cells unharmed. Dr. Rozhkova’s design uses titanium dioxide nanoparticles that are bonded to biological soft tissues. This nanodevice is then covered with antibodies that only target receptors on the tumor cells. The antibodies used in the design are specific only to the receptors on the malignant cell’s membrane. Thus, unlike chemotherapy, which attacks most cells in the body, Rozhkova’s treatment will leave healthy cells untouched. Once the titanium dioxide binds to the receptors on the tumor, a beam of light is focused on the target area causing oxidative radicals to be released from the titanium dioxide. These free radicals then interfere with the function of mitochondria in tumor cells, ultimately hindering the proliferation of the tumor cells. The titanium dioxide nanoparticles have also been found to attack the cell’s invadopodia, protrusions that allow the tumor cells to invade surrounding healthy cells. Although this new technique is still in the developmental stage, it shows much promise. Testing has shown that once the treatment is applied, there is an almost 100 percent cancer cell toxicity rate. Dr. Rozhkova hopes this new treatment will soon be ready for animal testing, and then clinical trials. She also said that her lab work proves that this method of treatment can be used for other types of cancers as well. Simply by replacing the antibody used in the treatment, this design can help stop the spread of many types of malignant cells. Dr. Rozhkova’s work is a prime example of how bioengineering is used to create new and more advanced treatment methods in the field of medicine.

This article can be found at: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090819123943.htm
Oscar Carrasco-Zevallos