Nanoparticles help kill cancer cells

Researchers in Pennsylvania for the first time reported that 1 / 5,000-diameter nanoparticles of human hair as transporters of anticancer drugs in experiments could kill malignant tumors in humans and Breast cancer cells are implanted in the laboratory.

This finding could lead to the development of a new generation of new anti-cancer drugs that are safer and more effective than conventional chemotherapy drugs.

A new type of nanoparticle can improve cancer treatment, researchers said.(Photo: Hari S. Muddana)

The study is published in ACS 'Nano Letters, a monthly journal

In this study, Mark Kester, James Adair and colleagues at Penn State's Hershey Medical Center and Park University show that some nanoparticles promise to become drug delivery vehicles. However, many of these particles will not dissolve in body fluids and adversely affect cells, making them unsuitable for this task.Although there is potential to be an appropriate carrier, ceramide is insoluble in blood, making it difficult to transport to cancer cells.

Scientists report a potential solution with the use of calcium phosphate nanoparticles (CPNPs). These particles can be dissolved and ceramide coated with calcium phosphate can also dissolve in the blood. With ceramide inside, CPNPs kill 99% of human melanoma cells, and 'very effective' for breast cancer cells.

Penn State Research Fund has patented the calcium phosphate nanotechnology molecule called 'NanoJackets' for Keystone Nano.