Smart bomb' plan to kill cancer cells, with fewer side-effects than from chemotherapy
It would also have fewer side-effects than conventional chemotherapy, says Deakin University's Associate Professor Wei Duan, who heads the project in collaboration with scientists in India.
“Cancer cells are particularly difficult to kill as they contain so-called cancer stem cells, the root or seed cancer cells that are resistant to drugs,” Dr Duan said in a statement.
“While current treatments kill the bulk of the cancer cell, the cancer root escapes the therapy and can regenerate into a new cancer mass.
“The aim of our research is to develop a smart bomb that can penetrate the cell and release the drugs within the cells, rather than from the outside, and kills the whole tumour, root and all.”
The molecular drug delivery system would use a technique known as RNA interference, or gene silencing, which enables control over the genes inside cells.
First, the scientists are developing a chemical antibody that will bind specifically to cancer cells.
This “guided missile” would have a purpose-built lipid particle - carrying an anti-cancer drug as well as anti-cancer genes - as its payload.
Combined, they create a treatment that would actively seek out and penetrate the cells within a tumour, killing off those vital for a cancer to spread.
Dr Duan said there was also potential to use the same technique to tackle neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, heart disease and diabetes.
The project is a collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore, Barwon Health's Andrew Love Cancer Centre and ChemGenex Pharmaceuticals.
It has received $400,000 funding over three years from the federal government's Australia-India Strategic Research Fund, with reciprocal support from the Indian government.
“This system would also be very human compatible and human degradable meaning it would not be toxic to other cells in the body and would cause very limited side-effects,” Dr Duan said.
“The success of this project will bring us a step forward in significantly improving the survival rate and quality of life of cancer patients.”
Source: The Australian, 5 July 2010.
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