Nanoparticles to treat cancer within a few years?

Posted on Sunday, April 20 2008 @ 9:11 CEST by Thomas De Maesschalck
Scientists are working on a new way to cure a wide variety of cancers using nanoparticles. The new treatment is known as Kanzius RF Therapy and involves attaching nanoparticles to cancer cells and then blasting them with a radio frequency generator.

Initial trials on animal and human cells show cancer cells injected with the nanoparticles had a 100 percent kill rate, without harming any healthy cells. According to the news article clinical trials may start within three years if everything goes well.
Once the cancer cells have been loaded with nanoparticles, a radio frequency generator is activated to cook the cancer cells. Initial trials on animal and human cells showed that the cancer cells injected with the nanoparticles had a 100 percent kill rate, while no healthy cells were harmed. A study in the November 2007 issue of the journal Cancer showed that the cancerous cells died within approximately 48 hours.

A separate study in the Journal of Nanobiotechnology in January 2008 similarly confirmed the test results. Gannon states, "We know it has the potential to work well. It’s just a matter of making the details work."

The biggest challenge is in finding proteins that will bond to cancerous cells and not bond to healthy cells. Curley's team has found a molecule c225, which is FDA approved, and targets cancer cells. Unfortunately c225 can also bond to some healthy cells. Said Curley, "It will depend on the type of cancer and the targeting molecules attached to the nanoparticles."
More details at DailyTech.


About the Author

Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.



Loading Comments