0
0
New Delhi: In a promising development for cancer therapy, scientists at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), New Delhi, have engineered novel magnetic nanoparticles aimed at improving treatment effectiveness. IASST is an autonomous institute under India’s Department of Science and Technology (DST).
The breakthrough focuses on a technique known as magnetic hyperthermia. This method utilizes specially designed nanoparticles that, when subjected to an external alternating magnetic field, generate heat. The goal is to raise the temperature within tumour cells specifically, making the treatment targeted.
Cancer remains a significant global health challenge. While treatments like radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and stem cell transplants are available, they often come with substantial side effects, high costs, and limited accessibility for many patients.
The IASST team sought to address these limitations by exploring nanomagnets for hyperthermia. This approach offers the potential for more controlled treatment with comparatively fewer side effects, as the heating process is triggered externally by a magnetic field only at the desired location.
However, creating effective nanoparticles for this purpose is challenging. Achieving bio-compatibility along with efficient heat generation requires precise control over the nanoparticles’ physical properties.
To overcome this, the researchers synthesized nanocrystalline cobalt chromite magnetic nanoparticles using a chemical co-precipitation method. They incorporated varying amounts of the rare-earth element Gadolinium (Gd) as a dopant to fine-tune the particles’ magnetic properties. These nanoparticles, when suspended in a fluid, demonstrated the ability to generate heat effectively under an applied magnetic field.
Researchers explained that this controlled heating can elevate the temperature within targeted cancer cells to approximately 46 degrees Celsius. Maintaining this temperature for a specific duration can induce necrosis, or cell death, specifically in the cancerous tissue.
“Thus, superparamagnetic nanoparticles act as nano-heaters and can potentially be utilised in magnetic hyperthermia applications for treating cancer and offering alternative cancer therapy,” the researchers stated, highlighting the potential of these “nano-heaters” as a future therapeutic tool.
The findings detailing the synthesis and efficacy of these nanoparticles have been published in the peer-reviewed journal Nanoscale Advances, published by the Royal Society of Chemistry, UK.
Disclaimer: This news article is based on information provided regarding research conducted by scientists at IASST. The development described is currently at the research stage. Further research, clinical trials, and regulatory approvals are necessary before this technology could become a widely available treatment option. The information presented here should not be considered medical advice.
