New nanoparticles kill cancer cells

The newly-developed nanoparticles, made from a safe biodegradable polymer, can directly deliver anti-cancer medication to tumors. Available chemotherapy agents can only destroy cancerous cells when used in high concentration; this however not only may affect normal cells but also is associated with more side effects and high toxicity. According to a study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the new nanoparticles postpone the multiplication of cancer cells, making them more susceptible to chemotherapy drugs. The chemically engineered nanoparticles are reported to inhibit the MARK signaling pathway, involved in most human tumors, and to carry a higher concentration of cancer drugs to the affected tissue. The modified polymer used in these nanoparticles help increase the drug loading by 20-fold, lowering the concentration of the drug and providing the use of more potent treatments with lesser side effects. Scientists concluded that the new drug-loaded nanoparticles have shown promising results in preventing tumor growth and triggering the death of cancerous cells.