How does nanotechnology revolutionize cancer treatment?
In this recent years, scientists are looking for a new and more effective way of treating cancer. Nanotechnology - the application of systems or materials at the atomic, molecular, or macromolecular scales - is then discovered and developed into cancer diagnosis and therapy. At this extremely tiny structure, nanotechnology can be integrated into larger materials, especially the human body.
Credit: National Cancer Institute
Due to their size of 100 - 10,000 times smaller than human cells, these nanoparticles could locate these cancer cells at the earliest stages precisely. When getting into the human body, it can identify whether it is a healthy cell or a cancer cell. These particles are coated with antibodies or substances that stick to the cancer cells and send out signals. For example, iron oxide coating when coming into contact with cancer cells will light up the MRI scans.
One more use of nanotechnology is to deliver the targeted drug specifically to the affected organs while minimizing systemic toxicities. By keeping the medicine away from healthy cells during the whole journey to the tumor, it prevents damage and side effects. Nanoparticles are also able to transport across tissue barriers and reach areas that are too dangerous to cure directly, for example, the brain barrier.
However, nanotechnology cancer treatment is still limited by some setbacks like certain organ toxicities or heart problems. Hence, more advancements need to be done in order to develop more effective drug delivery to the target site, with minimal side effects and drug resistance.
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