CANCER TREATMENT USING

NANOTECHNOLOGY

PRESENTATION BY

G.RAMYA

MOTIVATION

Ineffectiveness of many cancer treatments

Numerous side effects

Difficulties in early cancer treatment

No Immunization

WHAT IS NANOTECHNOLOGY

Nanotechnology refers to the interactions of cellular and molecular components and engineered materials at the most elemental level of biology. This presentation emphasizes on the effective utilization of Nanotechnology in the treatment of cancer.

PROPERTIES OF CANCER CELLS

Cancer cells divide more rapidly than healthy cells

When cells divide at an accelerated rate they form a mass of tissue called tumor.

Their rapid rate of growth causes them to intake an abnormal amount of nutrients (i.e., folic acid)

Nanoparticles can be used to target bio-markers or antigens that are highly specific to Cancer cells

Nanoparticles Are

Small Enough to Enter Cells

Cell

White blood

cell

Water molecul

e

Nanodevices

Nanoparticles

-Most animal cells are 10,000 to 20,000 nanometers in diameter. Nano scale devices (less than 100 nanometers) can enter cells and the organelles inside them to interact with DNA and proteins. Tools developed through nanotechnology may be able to detect disease in a very small amount of cells or tissue. They may also be able to enter and monitor cells within a living body.

CANCER DETECTION USING NANO DEVICES

There are two basic approaches for creating nanodevices. Scientists refer to these methods as: The top-down approach The bottom-up approach

The top-down approach involves molding or etching materials into smaller components

The bottom-up approach involves assembling structures atom- by-atom or molecule-by-molecule, and may prove useful in manufacturing devices used in medicine

Nanodevices Can Improve Sensitivity

Nanodevices consists of sensors, transceivers, motors and a processor which are made up of biodegradable compounds. As nanodevice can detect molecular changes in the cell it can be useful in targeting specific tumor cells. Nanodevices which are useful in cancer treatment are as follows

• Cantilevers• Nano tubes• Quantum Dots• Nano shells

NANODEVICE

Cantilevers

These tiny levers may bind to altered DNA sequences or proteins that are present in certain types of cancer. When these molecules bind to the cantilevers, surface tension changes, causing the cantilevers to bend. By monitoring the bending of the cantilevers, scientists can tell whether molecules are present.

Scientists hope this property will prove effective when cancer-associated molecules are present--even in very low concentrations--making cantilevers a potential tool for detecting cancer in its early stages.

Cantilevers Can Make Cancer Tests Faster and More Efficient

NanotubesThe nanotube creates a map showing the shape of the DNA molecule, including the tags identifying important mutations. Since the location of mutations can influence the effects they have on a cell, these techniques will be important in predicting disease.

Quantum Dots Another minuscule molecule that will be used to detect cancer is a quantum dot. Quantum dots are tiny crystals that glow when they are stimulated by ultraviolet light.

Quantum Dots Can Find Cancer Signatures

Nanoshells as Cancer Therapy

Researchers can already link nanoshells to antibodies that recognize cancer cells.

In laboratory cultures, the heat generated by the light-absorbing nanoshells has successfully killed tumor cells while leaving neighboring cells intact.

EXPERIMENT ON MICE BEARING HUMAN PROSTATE TUMORS

After approximately 3 months

100% of the mice treated with the targeted nanoparticles survived

57% of the mice treated with untargeted nanoparticles survived

14% of the mice with Docetaxel alone survived

Amount of weight loss and white blood cell count confirmed far lower toxicity for the targeted nanoparticles

EXPERIMENTAL RESULT

COMPARISON

HOW NANO DEVICE ESCAPES FROM IMMUNESYSTEM?

Generally our immune system attacks all the foreignparticles entering any part of our body. The problem hasbeen that such nano particles are similar in size toviruses and bacteria, and the body has developed veryefficient mechanisms to deal with these invaders. It isknown that bacteria with hydrophilic surfaces can avoidbeing destroyed by immune system and remain circulating inthe body for longer periods. To emulate this effect, ournano device can be coated with a polymer suchas polyethylene glycol (PEG),Which is proved after the research.

POTENTIALS

Low effect to the body (compare with Chemotherapy, Radiation Therapy…)

Nanotechnology may also be useful for developing ways to eradicate cancer cells without harming healthy, neighboring cells

Scientists hope to use nanotechnology to create therapeutic agents that target specific cells and deliver their toxin in a controlled, time-released manner

CHALLENGES

Cancer targeting is highly dependent on surface chemistry. Not just any nano particle will work.

The need for biocompatible and stable nanoparticles

Unknown Side-effects and toxicity

No human trials have been performed yet and human trials are still at least a few years away.

FUTURE

Human clinical trials within the next 2 -3 years.

Safe, consistent and more specific nano particle production.

Turning cancer into a chronic, but manageable disease within the next 15-20 years.

References

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470204506707938

http://triplehelixblog.com/2011/09/nanorobots-novel-technology-for-cancer-therapy/

http://www.nanotec.or.th/en/?p=3667

http://cancer.gov/cancertopics/understand

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternativecancertreatmentsingcancer