Nanoflowers against cancer
Gamma radiation is one of the main methods of cancer treatment. The problem of its implementation is precisely targeting the tumor so as not to damage healthy tissues.
Scientists from the University of Chicago have developed flower-shaped structures made of organometallic nanoparticles that increase the effectiveness of cancer treatment. Firstly, they enhance radiation therapy directly in the tumor, and secondly, they stimulate the cells of the immune system to search for and destroy cancer cells.
"Nanocolors" under an electron microscope.
Here and further source: Wenbin Lin.
The developed methodology is currently planned to be tested in phase 1 of clinical trials.
The main author of the study, Professor Wenbin Lin, has been working with organometallic structures (MOS) for 20 years. This spongy material is so named because of its composition: it combines metal elements with organic lintels. The potential of MOS is impressive, they can contain various components and are widely used from the production of solar panels to sensors.
Atomic structure of "nanocolors".
MOS can be created from biodegradable materials, which is what inspired Lin to use them in oncology.
The essence of the technique is the introduction of nanoparticles from the MOS directly into the tumor. Under the action of X-rays, they release active molecules that do not leave the injection site, and intensively absorb radiation, increasing the radiation dose. Gamma rays provoke intense formation of active oxygen, which destroys all surrounding cells.
An indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase inhibitor (indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase, IDO), an experimental drug that stimulates the destruction of foreign and abnormal cells and blocks the ability of cancer cells to hide from the body's immune system, can be embedded in the framework. The IDO inhibitor, when released, launches an attack of T-killers on cancer cells both at the site of direct injection of nanoparticles and throughout the body.
Nanoflowers from MOS, according to the authors, will help to reduce the radiation dose of patients with oncological diseases, making radiation therapy more gentle. Reducing radiation exposure, as you might guess, will lead to a decrease in the number and severity of undesirable effects and increase its effectiveness. In addition, indirect stimulation of T-killers will help to avoid the occurrence of relapses and metastasis.
Article K. Lu et al. Low-dose X-ray radiotherapy–radiodynamic therapy via nanoscale metal–organic frameworks enhances checkpoint blockade immunotherapy is published in the journal Nature Biomedical Engineering.
Aminat Adzhieva, portal "Eternal Youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of UChicago: Scientists build an army of metal-organic nanoflowers to treat cancer.