X-ray and gold against cancer
Cancer drugs will be delivered to cells using X-rays
Natalia Pelezneva, Naked Science
Australian researchers have developed a technique for delivering chemotherapeutic drugs to tumors using X-rays. During the tests, scientists were able to effectively destroy cells affected by colorectal cancer. A description of the development was published in the journal Nature Communications (Deng et al., Controlled gene and drug release from a liposomal delivery platform triggered by X-ray radiation).
Preparations for delivery using the new technology are packed into liposomes – small spherical particles created from several alternating layers of lipids (fats) and an aqueous solution. They are often used for the targeted delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs. Penetrating into the cells, they can purposefully affect the tumor without affecting healthy tissue. Recently, British researchers have tested a similar technology: they proposed delivering drugs to cells by destroying liposomes with focused ultrasound.
The lead author of the new work, Wei Deng, comments: "Today, the use of liposomes is considered a very effective method of drug delivery. These “bubbles”, created from the same substances as cell membranes, are relatively easy to make, they can be filled with the necessary drugs and injected into a certain part of the body. At the same time, an important task is to get the liposome to release the drug on time."
To do this, scientists have embedded gold nanoparticles and verteporfin molecules, a light–sensitive compound that is commonly used in photodynamic therapy, into the liposome shell. When exposed to X-rays on verteporfin, a reaction occurs that converts triplet oxygen present in the body into singlet oxygen (this form of oxygen is highly active). Singlet oxygen provokes the destruction of the liposome shell, releasing the drug outside. Gold nanoparticles help focus the radiation so that the liposome "opens" faster.
The development was tested on mice that were transplanted with human cells affected by colorectal cancer. Liposomes were filled with the antibiotic doxorubicin. The new technology made it possible to significantly reduce tumors in two weeks without affecting healthy cells. In the future, scientists plan to conduct clinical studies of the technique with the participation of people.
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