Smart nanomachines can detect and treat highly invasive cancer after surgery

Left: Primary tumor or overt metastasis Center: Center: Pre-metastatic niche Right: Post-surgical wound

CREDIT: 2021 Innovation Center of NanoMedicine

Summary:

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is an enzyme required for cancer cells to metastasize/invade, and cancer cells with higher MMP activity have higher metastasis ability and progress quickly.

In this study, we created polymersomes (smart nanomachines) that act specifically in tissues that overproduce MMPs, prevent cancer metastasis, and developed a method to remove residual tumor tissue that could not be visually confirmed after surgery.

We simultaneously loaded the cell division inhibitor colchicine and the MMP inhibitor marimastat into MMPs-responsive polymersomes as an enzymatically transformable nanomachine designed to achieve transformation following dePEGylation by cleavage of the inserted substrate peptide by MMPs. The effect on malignant tumors with high MMPs activity was evaluated.
During transformation, nanomachines with exposed guanidine residues easily penetrate into cells, and at the same time, by releasing the contained drugs, it exerts an anti-cancer effect.
Evaluating drug uptake using HT1080 cells derived from human fibrosarcoma that overproduce MMPs, studying pharmacokinetic and nano-bio interaction using a confocal laser scanning biomicroscope and evaluating metastasis inhibitory effect using triple-negative breast cancer transplantation model, the results were published in Advanced Materials (IF = 30.849 in 2021).

Original Article: Creating smart nanomachines to detect highly invasive cancer after surgery and prevent recurrence – cancer metastasis and recurrence prevention

Go deeper with Bing News on:

Smart nanomachines

The best smart wallets in 2023: top 11 options you should buy
And if you're doing that, you may as well make sure it's one of the best smart wallets out there. Fortunately, physical wallets have gotten much smarter than the simple billfolds of yesteryear.
‘Destiny 2’ Is Done With SIVA, Probably Forever
Early lore based around Neptune, the Cloudstriders and Neomuna seems to talk about a new kind of smart nanomaterial ... outer system is using weaponized nanomachines. I haven't seen that.
Should Your Business Use Smart Metering?
Smart meters can track and control energy consumption, saving energy and money. Smart metering technology allows remote contact with a metered contact point, which can also present cybersecurity ...
Best smart scales 2023: Track body composition from home
A smart scale is a digital device that can measure a person’s weight and body composition to give an insight into their health and fitness. The best smart scales use bioelectrical impedance ...
The best motorized smart blinds for 2023
Smart blinds are the unsung heroes of the smart home. Having motorized shades that raise and lower with voice commands or on a set schedule is one of the best ways to create the illusion of people ...