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Thursday, 12th March 2009 (5634 views)

Scientists in the UK have developed a new method of treating cancer patients using nanotechnology.

Cancer Research UK, based at the School of Pharmacy in London, has found a way of using genes wrapped in nanoparticles in order to selectively target cancerous cells.

The treatment sees the diseased cells absorb the nanoparticles, which then switch on a programme that starts production of anti-cancer proteins.

Lead scientist Dr Andreas Schatzlein said that nanotechnology - which often involves the use of gold - offers "great potential" in this area of research.

"This is the first time that nanoparticles have been shown to target tumours in such a selective way and this is an exciting step forward in the field," he stated, adding that the technique could be in use within two years.

Research at Brown University in the US has led to a similar breakthrough, with scientists there succeeding in developing a gold nanoparticle that only targets unhealthy cells.

 

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