Researchers at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) in Australia have made significant strides in cancer treatment by developing microscopic metal particles that can selectively destroy cancer cells while leaving healthy tissue unharmed. This innovative approach may lead to more precise and less toxic cancer therapies.
The findings, published in the journal Advanced Science, are still in the cell-culture phase and have not yet been tested in animal models or humans. However, the research hints at a novel strategy that could exploit the inherent vulnerabilities of cancer cells.
The team, led by RMIT researchers, engineered tiny particles known as nanodots, which are created from molybdenum oxide, a compound derived from the rare metal molybdenum that is often utilized in electronics and alloys. By modifying the chemical makeup of these particles, the scientists enabled them to produce reactive oxygen molecules, which are unstable forms of oxygen that can damage cancer cells and induce programmed cell death.
In laboratory tests, these nanodots demonstrated the ability to kill three times as many cervical cancer cells compared to healthy cells within a 24-hour period, and they accomplished this without the necessity of light—a notable feature, considering that most technologies relying on oxidative stress typically require it.
“Cancer cells already exist under higher stress than normal cells. Our particles increase that stress threshold just enough to push cancer cells towards self-destruction, while healthy cells remain unaffected,” stated Zhang Baoyue, the study”s first author from the RMIT School of Engineering.
This advancement could pave the way for cancer therapies that specifically target malignant cells without damaging surrounding healthy tissue. Conventional cancer treatments often have detrimental effects on both cancerous and non-cancerous tissues, but this method offers a more refined approach. Additionally, the use of commonly available metal oxides, rather than expensive or hazardous noble metals like gold or silver, suggests that these particles could be more affordable and safer to produce.
As research continues, the potential for these microscopic metal particles to revolutionize cancer treatment remains promising, highlighting a crucial step towards developing less harmful therapies for patients.
