Nanocide of tumor cells

Nanomechanical systems capable of capturing and releasing molecules in response to certain stimuli have long been the subject of intensive research, mostly because of the possibility of their use for targeted drug delivery. Nanomaterials suitable for such operations should consist of a suitable container and a mobile component activated by a chemical or physical signal.

Scientists at the Institute of Nanosystems, part of the University of California, working under the leadership of Professors Jeffrey Zink and Fuyu Tamanoi, have developed a new class of nanomachines – nanoimpellers (impeller in technology – paddle wheel, impeller). The role of the blades that open the pores in spherical mesoporous quartz nanoparticles is played this time by azobenzene covering their surface, a compound whose molecules change their conformation under the action of light.

Exposure to light seems to rock the nanoparticles due to the alternating transition of the azobenzene molecule from one structural conformation to another, which releases molecules attacking tumor cells. Images obtained using a confocal microscope indicate that the operation of the nanoimpeller can be controlled with a high degree of accuracy by changing the light intensity, duration of exposure and wavelength. Nanoimpellers function effectively in various aquatic and biological environments. The pores of nanoparticles can be filled with various molecules, including dyes or antitumor drugs.

The functioning of the nanoimpeller has been demonstrated on cells of various types of human cancer, including colon and pancreatic cancer. Under laboratory conditions, nanoparticles were injected into cell cultures, which were immediately placed in darkness. The action of a directed beam of light on the cells activated the nanoimpeller and released the contents of the pores of the nanoparticles.

The system proposed by the authors opens up new opportunities for externally controlled targeted drug delivery. The authors believe that the nanosystem they have developed will mark the beginning of a new generation of targeted delivery methods for antitumor agents. They state that the next stage of the work should be to obtain evidence of suppression of tumor growth using nanoimpellers in vivo.

Article by Jie Lu et al. The Light-Activated Nanoimpeller-Controlled Drug Release in Cancer Cells was published on March 31 in the journal Small.

Portal "Eternal youth" www.vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of ScienceDaily

03.04.2008