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Written By: Editorial Team | Updated : April 5, 2014 12:49 PM IST
In a ray of hope for cancer patients, researchers are developing a better drug delivery method by encapsulating the drugs in nanoballoons that would pop open and release exact dose at the affected area without any side effect.
These nanoballoons are tiny modified liposomes that, upon being struck by a red laser, pop open and deliver concentrated doses of medicine.
'Why PoP-liposomes, or nanoballoons, open in response to an otherwise harmless red laser is still a bit of a mystery to us but we have definitely unearthed a new and unique phenomenon. Its potential for improving how we treat cancer is immense,' said Jonathan Lovell, an assistant professor of biomedical engineering at University of Buffalo. Currently, chemotherapeutic drugs excel at fighting cancer but they are not so efficient at getting where they need to go.They often interact with blood, bone marrow and other healthy bodily systems. This dilutes the drugs and causes unwanted side effects.
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Roughly 1,000 times thinner than human hair, nanoballoons consist of porphyrin, an organic compound, and phospholipid, a fat similar to vegetable oil. Like conventional chemotherapy, they would be delivered to patients intravenously. But because the nanoballoons encapsulate the anti-cancer drugs, they diminish the drugs' interaction with healthy bodily systems.
In lab experiments with mice, Lovell hit the nanoballoon with a red laser at the target site in the body. The laser triggered nanoballoons to pop open and release the drugs. As soon as the laser is turned off, the nanoballoons close, taking in proteins and molecules that might induce cancer growth. Doctors could then be able to retrieve the nanoballoons by drawing blood or taking a biopsy. The nanotechnology could provide a chemical snapshot of the tumour's environment which otherwise is very difficult to assess.
Human trials could start within five years, Lovell said in a study that appeared in the journal Nature Communications.
Top 10 cancer myths busted
cause an interference with thinking of people in the community as well as people having cancer. Today, on Feb 4, recognized as World Cancer Day, let's target some common myths about the causes, treatment and prevention of cancer. Let's educate ourselves and spread accurate information about cancer within our family and community.
Myth 1: Nothing can be done about cancer. Treatment is only meant to delay death
Fact: With early diagnosis and right treatment strategies, one third of common cancers can be prevented and treated. According to 2008 statistics on cancer survivors, 0.64 million deaths were reported in India. This number has reduced to 0.56 million according to the 2010 statistics. Although the change is not that significant, but there's surely a reduction in death cases. The number of cancer survivors is increasing day-by-day. Moreover, with latest developments in cancer treatment, the quality of life of cancer patients can now be improved to a great extent. Read more about the predicted increase in new cancer cases by 2025.
Myth 2:You cannot control your risk of getting cancer
Fact: There's no single magical spell that can completely prevent cancer, but with awareness, lifestyle and dietary changes, the risk of cancer can be reduced greatly.
Myth 3:If you don't have anyone in your family suffering from cancer, you have nothing to worry about
Fact: It's true that cancer is hereditary, but only 5 to 10 percent of cancers are inherited through genes. Mutation in cancer causing genes is the main reason why cancer develops during a lifetime. These changes mainly occur due to smoking, tobacco use, radiation and exposure to different chemicals.
Myth 4: Frequent use of deodorants, antiperspirants and hair colors or dyes can cause cancer.
Fact: There is scientific proof that these things can cause cancer or even increase cancer risk. Use of chemicals can be harmful to the body in a lot of ways, but it definitely does not cause cancer. Here are ten myths about breast cancer. Read more about prevalence of myths about breast cancer. (Read: Top 10 cancer myths busted)
With inputs from IANS
Here are our top 5 articles on cancer:
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