Nanotechnology Cells Target Malignant Tumors

Chemotherapy effective method for the treatment of cancer (more than 200 different types of cancer) by destroying cancer cells in specific area of the body, including leukemia or lymphoma. Chemotherapy is a systemic therapy, medication travels through the blood stream and destroys cancer cells that have metastasized or spread to other parts of the body, far away from the primary or original tumor. Also, affectively an "insurance policy" used even if there is no direct proof that cancer has spread. Available are more than 100 chemotherapy drugs used in various combinations, providing a more powerful combination. The combination of drugs administered, prevents the possibility a patient may become resistant to a particular chemotherapy drug. Chemotherapy is usually administered in cycles or prescribed for several days followed by several days off. The drugs are administered through an IV into a vein or as a pill or liquid that is swallowed. Unfortunately, chemotherapy treatment causes problem for healthy cells. Common side effects of cancer treatment include: Nausea, fatigue, vomiting, decreased blood cell count (low number of white blood cells (risk of infection), red blood cells (risk of anemia), and platelets (risk of bruising and bleeding)) , reproductive system (sexual organs), mouth sores, and common hair loss. After the completion of chemotherapy, most people have no serious long - term problems. However in some cases, permanent changes or damage to the heart, nerves, lungs, kidneys, reproductive or other organs. Medicines can be prescribed to prevent side effects, such as nausea. Psychologically some patients have more difficult time handling the side effects and length of time treatment.

Published in May 2007, issue of U.S. Cancer Cell Magazine, biotech firm EnGenelC (Sydney-based biotechnology company) reported a treatment method, deliver anti-cancer drugs to cancer cells by means of nanotechnology, which involves micro-machines far smaller than a human cell. This procedure more effectively treats cancer than the conventional method of chemotherapy. Animal trials have shown the delivery method reduced tumors in animals, without toxic side effects by using only a very small amount of drugs. Research scientist Jennifer MacDiamid said use of nanotechnology create particles that directly attack cancer cells with a "lethal payload" of drugs, without flooding the body with toxic chemicals, cause many uncomfortable or permanent side effects. MacDiamid said: "Your hair wouldn't fall out, you wouldn't throw up ... some chemotherapy is life -- threatening in itself."

The new cancer treatment is delivered by nanotechnolgy cell called EnGenelC delivery vehicles (EDVs), about one-fifth the size of a normal cell (bacteria cell stripped of reproductive powers) and inserted with antibodies (chemotherapy drugs), that are attracted to cancerous tumors. EnGenelC delivery vehicles are cheap and easy to produce. Once the cell comes upon the cancer, the drug is released directly into the malignant growth. Researchers Jennifer MacDiamid and Himanshu Brahmbhatt confirmed the success of this treatment, when a packaged cancer drug called doxorubicin into EDV's, targeted into mice xenografted with human tumors (breast, leukemia, and ovarian cancers). Treatment resulted in significant inhibition of tumor growth. Also, when dogs with advance non-Hodgkin's lymphoma given targeted EDV's containing doxorubicin, demonstrated significant tumor regression. MacDiamid said: "There is no other system where you can get so much concentrated into a little parcel. We haven't yet found a drug that you couldn't load. Because they have rigid membrane they won't break down when injected." Bruce Sillman, director of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in New York, and an advisor to the EnGenelc team said "...targeting drugs directly to the target tissue, means reduction in side effects could be extraordinary." Since requiring less medication to be delivered, the cost to patients would be less, compared to chemotherapy.

EngelC researchers plan to start human trials by the end of 2007. Potentially the delivery of chemotherapy by nanotechnology - cells could be used on solid tumors, including those in the breasts, ovaries, colon and lungs.