little golden assassins

8/9/2019 Little Golden Assassins

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Nanoparticles that identify, target and killcancer cells


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Regular tissue:Parallel bloodvessels withdense walls.Only allow

small particlesto diffuse intoand out of thesurroundingtissue.Nanoparticles

remain in theblood stream.

Tumour:Irregulararrangementof bloodvessels with

leaky walls.Smallmoleculesdiffusenormally,nanoparticles

enter thetissue and aretrapped.

Source: http://breast-cancer-research.com/content/11/4/R43/figure/F1?highres=y


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Image 1 source: https://reader010.{domain}/reader010/html5/0601/5b1084a18e5d3/5b1084a3c9df0.jpg

Image 2 source: http://nanopedia.case.edu/image/gold%20cancer%20cells.JPG

Different possible arrangements: solid particle sandwiched between twopieces of iron oxide; spherical nanocapsule; nanotube (hollow)Various markers and materials can be added to the surface for differentdesired functions Can bind to cell surface, enter the cytoplasm or even enter the nucleus

Gold Nanoparticles


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Used on tumors that can be reached by a near-infrared lasers heat (severalinches beneath the surface) Does not harm nearby tissues The radiation is absorbed by the nanoparticles Cancer cells heat up and die Temperature has to be above 42C in order for this to happen

Heated tumorwithaccumulatednanoparticles

Heated tumorwithoutnanoparticles

Image source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100312164701.htm


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Used on tumors that can not be reached by heat Nanoparticles are altered in a way that allows them to enter the cellsnuclei and stop them from dividing successfullyAn attempt to divide causes the cell to collapse Nanoparticles interfere with the DNA

Cancer cells thatengulfed goldnanoparticles

Image source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100216140402.htm


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Although cancer cells can accumulate enough nanoparticles to be affectedby the treatment chosen, only about 6% of the amount injected ends up inthe tumor. Ideally, this number should be around 40% Only mice have been used for testing so far (no clinical trials) Extensive toxicity studies need to be done prior to clinical trials while

gold is less toxic than other metals, it might have certain undesirable sideeffects


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Cornell University. "Like Little Golden Assassins, 'Smart' Nanoparticles Identify, Target and KillCancer Cells." ScienceDaily 9 March 2010. 3 April 2010 .

Georgia Institute of Technology. "Using Gold Nanoparticles to Hit Cancer Where It Hurts."ScienceDaily 18 February 2010. 3 April 2010 .

Washington University in St. Louis. "Golden Bullet for Cancer? Nanoparticles Provide TargetedVersion of Photothermal Therapy for Cancer." ScienceDaily 16 March 2010. 3 April 2010.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "Gold Nanoparticles For Controlled Drug Delivery."ScienceDaily 6 January 2009. 3 April 2010 .

Ohio University. "Gold Nanoparticles Emit Intense Heat, Study Finds." ScienceDaily 3 April 2006.3 April 2010 .

University of California in Santa Cruz. Special Gold Nanoparticles Show Promise for CookingCancer Cells. Medical News Today, 24 March 2009. 3 April 2010

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