Novel drug delivery solution helps improve cancer treatment

Research reveals novel site-specific drug delivery method using gold nanoparticles that can improve cancer treatment

Medical science has identified over 200 different types of cancers, and have been battling the deadly disease through surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. However, the incidence of cancer has been growing each day and it has been found that in most cases, early detection would help in effective treatment.

Experts agree that the currently available treatment systems that are deployed in a bid to save patients from the ailment are time consuming, and extremely expensive. Besides, they are also known to be reasons for side-effects.  It is in this context that the need for a novel drug delivery solution that can improve cancer management and treatment comes as a necessity.

Site-specific drug delivery for effective treatment

Researchers at Amity University in Jaipur, Rajasthan, have been successful in developing therapeutic agents that help in improving the site-specific drug delivery for cancer disease management and its effective treatment. The site-specific drug delivery, they have proved, can be made possible with the help of nano-biotechnological approaches using a unique solution of ‘gold nanoparticles’.

The ‘gold nanoparticles’ solution with a distinctive functional surface containing biomolecules and antibiotics for improved anticancer activity through selective generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were formulated by Dr. Hemant Kumar Daima, Dr. Akhela Umapathi and Prof. S.L. Kothari from the Amity Centre for Nanobiotechnology and Nanomedicine (ACNN).  The results have revealed that the appropriate surface corona on the gold nanoparticles was essential for effective cancer treatment in a selective manner.

The research was extended toward lung cancer cells using functional silver nanoparticles and selective anti-cancer effect originating from surface chemistry of silver nanoparticles. The studies were demonstrated in a paper published in the journal Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects. The studies have provided deeper understanding regarding the mechanism of anti-cancer actions of the functional nanoparticles, a communication from the Science and Technology ministry has said.

Study to open opportunities for better cancer treatment

The research was made fruitful through a global collaboration including researchers from University of Miyazaki, Japan; and RMIT University, Australia. The research team will now be look towards clinical studies on the formulated nanoparticles.

A ministry statement said that the some of the important physicochemical characterisation and biological studies of gold nanoparticles were performed on Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Fluorescent microscopy facilities acquired through the Fund for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure (FIST) programme of the Department of Science and Technology.

The study is expected to open new opportunities for better cancer management and treatment, and pave a way for future nanomedicine even beyond cancer treatment.