Use genetically algae to treat cancer

Scientists have successfully created a genetically engineered algae that can kill 90% of cancer cells without harming other healthy cells.

Transformation of diatoms to make cancer medicine

Treatment has been shown to be effective for tumors in mice without affecting other parts of the body.

Development of drugs that can directly attack cancer cells in the body without affecting other parts of the body is a major challenge for cancer treatment. For example, chemotherapy can cause side effects on hair, hand-clasping even bone marrow patients.

A new trend is to create drugs based on nanoparticles, introduced into the body to attack cancer cells. However, the production of these nanoparticles has a very high cost and requires industrial chemicals, such as hydrofluoric acid.

Scientists genetically engineered diatoms to synthesize nanoparticles.

Now, however, a group of scientists from Australia and Germany have modified the gene for a diatom to perform the synthesis of nanoparticles for the job.

"By altering the genes of diatoms, we can produce antibodies on their surface ," said Nico Voelcker, head of research, a nano-pharmaceutical expert.

Diatomic nanoparticles only bind to molecules found in cancer cells, where they release drugs. This is true for the goal that researchers want.

'More investment is needed in the development of natural, biocompatible and biodegradable drug derivatives , ' the authors wrote in Nature Communications.

Tiny diatoms meet the above criteria and they almost need water and light to grow. By selecting the right antibodies, algae nanoparticles can be easily assigned to target cancer cells.

'Although still at an early stage, but the biotechnology-based drug delivery system, this renewable material has a lot of potential for untreated solid tumors, including brain tumors that are currently not possible treatable, ' Voelcker said.