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Although we know that it is possible to heat the gold nanoparticles with light to eliminate tumor cells, now, researchers from Northwestern University in the U.S., have quantified how these particles can be designed especially to optimize your photo-response when exposed to infrared light . The work, published in Nano Letters reviewed, will be pivotal in the future development of nanoparticles for cancer treatment.

Nanoparticles of noble metals generate heat when exposed to light. This heat can be used to destroy localized cancer cells without harming healthy surrounding tissue. The gold nanoparticles are ideal candidates for a photo-therapy because their optical properties can be tuned in the near infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Moreover, they are bio compatible and safe, and their surfaces can be modified with antibodies directed toward specific receptors of tumor cells.

However, until now researchers have paid little attention to how you should design nanoparticles to achieve the photo-response more effective. As the director of the team, Teri Odom, nanoparticles have been tested as therapeutic agents based on their availability, rather than seeking to measure properties optimized.

“Our work seeks to identify the most important structural parameters for the design of nanoparticles of noble metals that may lead to a photo-optimized,” he said to nanotechweb.org. To do this, we evaluate how different sizes, shapes and thicknesses of pyramidal nanoparticles influenced the photo-response. ”

Comparing the amount of heat generated by four types of pyramid gold particles in solution when exposed to light of a near infrared laser, the team found that particles with structures thinner and more acute tips produced the greatest amount of heat . These particles would be best for the photo-therapy. To ensure that differences in geometry were the only ones responsible for the observed temperature rise, the researchers compared the absolute quantity of gold present in each set of particles.

“The results provided a simple platform to identify the most important structural features in the design of photo-nanoparticles for the treatment of cancer,” said Odom.

Scientists are now investigating the response of photo-nanopiramides in vitro using cells from breast cancer. To do this, first, the functionalising nanopirámides with antibodies that attack cancer cells, and then are irradiated with a laser of near infrared light to remove the cells.

Nanoparticles to carry genes that destroys tumors :

Nanotechnology has been used first to destroy cancer cells with a package of genes in tumors hunters “directed with great precision. The technique, which does not affect healthy cells, could offer hope to people with difficult to treat cancers, which is not possible to use surgery.

The study, conducted in the United Kingdom, was published online in the journal Cancer Research. Although time has only been tested on mice, researchers hope to conduct human trials in two years.

The genes wrapped in microscopic nanoparticles that were absorbed by cancer cells but not healthy for his neighbors. Once inside, the genes stimulated the production of a protein that destroys the cancer.

The researchers say that this technology could be especially relevant for people with cancers that can not operate too close to vital organs. And expect to be ultimately used to treat cancers that have spread.

The principal investigator, Dr. Andreas Schatzlein, Faculty of Pharmacy of London, said: “The gene therapy has great potential to create safe and effective treatments for cancer, but to introduce genes in cancer cells remains one of the main difficulties in this field. ”

“This is the first time that nanoparticles have managed to target tumors selectively so, what constitutes a great step forward in the field,” he added.

“Once inside the cell, the gene involved in the particle environment cancerous recognizes and is activated. The result is toxic, but only harmful to cells, leaving healthy tissue intact,” said Schatzlein.

Traditional Chemotherapy indiscriminately eliminates cells in the affected area of the body, causing side effects such as fatigue, hair loss or nausea. It is hoped that gene therapy has fewer side effects, attacking only the cancer cells.

According to Dr Lesley Walker, of the nonprofit Cancer Research UK: “These results are very encouraging and we look to see if you can use this method to treat cancer in people.”

Ain’t this Information pretty excellent and pretty relieving for the Cancer patients??

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