subject: Nanomaterials - a key element for blocking metastasis of malignant tumors Part 1 [print this page] The Center for Nanotechnology Research, Treatment and Monitoring of Cancer (Center of Nanotechnology for Treatment, Understanding, and Monitoring of Cancer) at the University of California at San Diego has developed a new strategy for blocking cancer metastasis chemotherapy with nanoparticles. As a result of its use, this significantly reduces the required dose of a toxic drug and decreases concomitant damage to healthy tissue. The technique was developed by a group of scientists led by David Cheresh. This technique may become a common procedure to block the metastasis of malignant tumors.
In a paper published online the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers report that the nanoparticle-based lipids that carry a widely used chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin, may be aimed at a protein marker "alfa-v/beta-3" discovered on the surface of tumor cells of blood vessels. Integrin - an important participant in the development of blood vessels needed for tumor growth and metastasis.
Although the drug complex nanoparticle-doxorubicin did not affect the primary tumor, ir stopped the development of metastasis of cancer of the kidneys and pancreas in experimental mice. In addition, as set aims at a protein specific to the affected cells, it does not destroy healthy tissue surrounding the tumor. Accordingly, decreases at least 15 times the dose of doxorubicin required for cure.
Cancer metastasis is traditionally much harder to treat than the primary tumor, and, ultimately, they become the cause of death in most patients. Since the growth of metastases depends on the development of new blood vessels, angiogenesis, anti-cancer drug, aimed at the defeat of such vessels, affects more on the metastases rather than primary tumor.
In another article published in the Nature Biotechnology journal, researchers at Harvard Medical School report the development of an oral drug, known as lodamin (Lodamin) which is an inhibitor of angiogenesis in a wide range of actions. This complex is also produced on the basis of nanoparticles, improving the target of the active ingredient in the affected cells. It has also appeared that lodamin nontoxic, which, together with the oral method of administration of the drug, makes it suitable for the prevention of cancer in patients who are in the area of special risk. In addition, lodamin has a positive effect in treating other diseases associated with aberrant growth of blood vessels, such as senile macular degeneration and arthritis.
Nanomaterials - a key element for blocking metastasis of malignant tumors Part 1
