Nanotechnology Used to Target Cancer Cells
Imagine being able to find metastatic dormant cancer cells far too small to be detected by MRI, CT or PET scans. Research being conducted at the University of Pennsylvania has successfully demonstrated this ability using animal models. The experiment, involves synthetic, biocompatible flourescent materials called porphyrins which are embedded into the water-resistant cell membranes of a string of molecules. These strings, called polymeres, are mechanically strong yet flexible enough to squeeze through the microcirculation without being damaged.
Peter Ghoroghchian from the Department of Bioengineering, embedded these flourescent porphyrins in a tumor located one centimeter beneath the skin of a mouse. He then shone near-infrared light onto the skin which triggered the flourescent materials, illuminating the tumour. Using near-infrared wavelengths enables these signals to pass through water, blood cells and other compounds that make up tissue. In other words, the signals are able to be detected up to 10 to 12 cms through breast tissue and 5 to 6 cm through muscle tissue. Because the polymersomes are made of nontoxic materials they differ from other contrast agents currently used in imaging for CT and MRI.
The application of this technique is quite far reaching. Think of these polymere chains as a train that is able to carry the porphyrins (to light up and identify the cancer cells) and carry the chemotherapy agents to destroy the cancer cells. Because cancer cells have specific chemical markers on their outer membrane, specific chemical substances can be developed that will attach to the cancer cell’s outer membrane. Current chemotherapy is non-selective meaning that it targets all cells that are rapidly growing, killing good and bad cells alike. This new technology will enable doctors to find cancer cells that are too small to be detected and deliver chemotherapy to the site leaving healthy tissues intact.
For more information about this fascinating research, follow this link to the National Institue of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering. More information about the use of porphyrins in cancer treatment can be found at this link.
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