A precise and non-toxic treatment that targets lung cancer cells at the nanoscale is able to effectively kill the cells even at a low dose.
Researchers from Washington State University and the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) used tiny tubes made from organic molecules called peptoids to deliver cancer-killing drugs in a targeted manner. The research, led by Yuehe Lin, professor in WSU’s School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, and Chun-Long Chen, a senior research scientist at PNNL and a joint faculty fellow at the University of Washington, was published as the cover story in the prestigious journal Small.
The biologically-inspired nanotubes, which are about a hundred thousand times thinner than a human hair, were rolled up from membrane-like nanosheets. The drug molecules, fluorescent dyes and cancer-targeting molecules were precisely placed within the nanotubes, enabling them to track the efficiency of drug delivery into the cancer cells.
The new technology allows the two drugs – one for chemotherapy and the other for a less-invasive photodynamic therapy treatment – to be delivered directly to the cancer cells. Photodynamic therapy uses a chemical that, when exposed to light, releases reactive oxygen species (ROS) that kill cancer cells. The researchers’ dual-drug approach enabled the use of a lower dose of the cancer drugs than using a single drug, leading to effective killing of cancer cells with low toxicity.
“By precisely engineering these nanotubes with fluorescent dyes and cancer targeting molecules, scientists can clearly locate tumor cells and track how the drug regimen is performing,” said Lin. “We can also track how nanotubes enter and deliver the drugs inside the cancer cell.”
The team tested the nanotubes on lung cancer cells and found that they delivered the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin directly into the fast-dividing cancer cells, resulting in highly efficient cancer killing while using less chemotherapy drugs.
“This is a promising approach for precision targeting with little damage to healthy surrounding cells,” said Lin.
While other nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes, have been used to deliver and track cancer-killing drugs, researchers have found that they are toxic to the body. Furthermore, they didn’t do well at precisely recognizing molecules.
“By using these peptoids, we were able to develop highly programmable nanotubes and a biocompatible delivery mechanism,” said Chen. “We also harnessed the high stability of peptoid and its well-controlled packing to develop nanotubes that are highly stable.”
“Due to their unique structure, these nanotubes can be easily assembled for use in cancer therapy and stay in the body longer for treatment,” said Lin.
The team is now looking for collaboration and funding opportunities with pharmaceutical companies to extend the research into animal and clinical studies.
Learn more: New drug-delivery technology promises efficient, targeted cancer treatment
The Latest on: Lung cancer
[google_news title=”” keyword=”lung cancer” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Lung cancer
- Personal connections draw people to walk in annual fundraiser for lung disease, cancer researchon April 27, 2024 at 2:33 pm
ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Pa. — Families, doctors and patients walked three miles in North Park on Saturday for the 10th annual Lung Force Walk to raise money for lung disease and lung cancer research. For ...
- Woman’s unexpected lung cancer diagnosis in Birmingham a reminder on importance of testing for nonsmokerson April 25, 2024 at 8:45 pm
A woman who went to a local emergency room in Birmingham said she was never told everything she needed to know about her visit. Months later, she found out that she had ...
- Stage 4 Lung Cancer: Why I Said Yes to a Clinical Trialon April 25, 2024 at 6:52 am
Sheena P. was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, which came as a huge shock to her and her family. She decided to participate in a clinical trial based on a recommendation from her oncologist. When ...
- Study reveals tai chi benefits for sleep quality in advanced lung cancer patientson April 25, 2024 at 6:11 am
A research team from the School of Nursing, LKS Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed), found positive effects of tai chi and aerobic exercise on sleep quality, psychological well ...
- Survey: Most Americans Have Never Had Their Homes Tested for Radon, a Leading Cause of Lung Canceron April 24, 2024 at 10:33 am
Radon is one of the leading causes of lung cancer. But a new survey found most Americans haven't had their homes tested for the dangerous gas, and more than half aren't concerned about radon exposure ...
- Could this robot help diagnose lung cancer?on April 23, 2024 at 3:42 pm
STORY: Doctors hope this robot can help produce safer and more accurate lung cancer diagnoses. With 125,000 people in the U.S. dying each year of lung cancer according to the National Cancer Institute ...
- I still remember the harrowing first time I told a smoker he was going to die of lung canceron April 22, 2024 at 2:00 am
One of the first ever patients I looked after as a doctor was someone who had just been diagnosed with lung cancer. They were in their 50s, which to a 24-year-old at the time seemed a long way away.
- Why Lung Cancer Screening Is Not for Everyoneon April 19, 2024 at 2:30 am
Many patients undergo lung cancer screening despite having a higher likelihood of experiencing harm rather than benefit.
- Center becomes first to offer early diagnosis and treatment for lung canceron April 17, 2024 at 4:05 pm
► Get breaking news from your neighborhood delivered directly to you by downloading the new FREE WWL-TV News app now in the IOS App Store or Google Play.
- Stopping Lung Cancer Before It Progresseson April 17, 2024 at 9:05 am
Lung cancer is still the leading cause of death by cancer in the U.S., with someone diagnosed about every two minutes.
via Bing News