Tuesday, 14th June 2005 (4347 views)

A new programme is being developed using gold nanoparticles to create anti-cancer vaccines.

Scientists working for the UK-based Midatech Group have created a system that creates immonu-stimulating nanoscale particles and has an outer shell of specific carbohydrate and peptide antigens.

Results have shown gold particles successfully synthesised and could help with various carcinomas including liver, colon, prostate and ovarian.

Items are linked covalently to gold nanoparticles cores to allow for maximum antigenicity and a higher density of the antigens can be placed on the gold nanoparticle.

Midatech chief operating officer, Dr David Hill, explained: "Of particular significance, is that the Ley-functionalised gold glyconanoparticles are very stable and water-soluble.

"In solution they are dispersed and discreet offering a highly immunogenic polyvalent system yet their microscopically minute dimensions of less than two nm means that the particles will be easily excreted by the kidneys."

The company hopes the technology will be useful in highly active anti-cancer vaccines in the future, with further studies already taking place to evaluate the gold glyconanoparticles.

 

« Back to the stories

 

The news feeds on this site are independently provided by Adfero Limited © and do not represent the views or opinions of the World Gold Council.