Nanoparticles to treat cancer
A team of researchers from the University of Michigan has created the nanotechnology equivalent of a Trojan Horse to carry a powerful chemotherapy in tumor cells, thereby increasing the drug’s ability to kill cancer cells and reducing side effects toxic.
According to a press release released yesterday by the University, previous studies in cell cultures show that the use of nanoparticles to transport anti-cancer treatments directly to the target, ie, tumor cells may increase the therapeutic response. Now scientists at Michigan have shown that this treatment based on nanotechnology, is effective in living animals.
According to the study director, Professor James Baker, “This is the first study that has shown how a drug transported by a nanoparticle can leave the bloodstream to reach cancer cells and have a biological impact on the animal’s tumor. “
Baker stresses the optimism of his team before this achievement because in his opinion shows that nanotechnology can markedly improve current cancer therapies. “Send treatments directly to cancer cells reduces the amount reaching normal cells, increases the impact of anti-cancer drug and reduce toxicity. By improving the therapeutic index of anticancer drugs, our goal is to turn cancer into a chronic but manageable disease.
The study results were published in the June 15, 2005 in the journal Cancer Research.
The vehicle to take the medication applied by scientists at Michigan is a polymer molecule called a dendrimer whose diameter is less than five nanometers. These dendrimers are small enough to pass through tiny openings in cell membranes.
This image of a dendrimer provided by the University of Michigan shows its structure as a tree with many branches on which scientists can attach a variety of molecules including drugs.
In experiments conducted by the team of Prof. Baker, the investigators adhered methotrexate, a potent anticancer drug, to branches of the dendrimer. In other branches, fluorescent imaging agents joined and a secret ingredient folic acid.
Folic acid is an important vitamin required for healthy functioning of all cells. But it seems that cancer cells need more folic acid than normal. By leveraging its appetite for this material, scientists can prevent cancer cells develop resistance to chemotherapeutic drug treatment.
In laboratory tests, this new therapy with nanoparticles made in mice that received injections of human cancer cells was 10 times more effective and less toxic than traditional treatment administration.