Cancer Treatment Breakthrough: Gold Nanoparticles Induce Self-Destruction in Glioblastoma Cells

Quincy Jon, Tech Times 14 September 2023, 02:09 pm

Researchers at the University of Nottingham discovered a cancer treatment breakthrough using small, electrically charged gold particles to induce the self-destruction of the cells of one of the deadliest cancers.

The Nottingham research group, under the direction of Dr. Frankie Rawson, used a cutting-edge "bio-antenna" idea to induce apoptosis, or programmed cell death, particularly in glioblastoma cells. These bio-antennas are made of unique molecules coated with gold nanoparticles. An electromagnetic field causes these bio-antennae to tell cancer cells to self-destruct.

Treating glioblastoma is difficult, with a 6.8% five-year survival rate and an estimated eight-month survival rate. The late John McCain, a former US senator, had a condition that affects more men than women.

Notably, the Nottingham team's inventive strategy displayed extraordinary selectivity. The bio-antennae's targeting of glioblastoma cells did not have an impact on the surrounding healthy cells.

Dr. Rawson explained, as quoted by Metro, "What we discovered is that specific pathways in the cancer cells are upregulated when we apply the treatment but aren't in the healthy cells. By applying an electromagnetic field, we cause the molecules to lose an electron, triggering the signaling mechanism for the cancer cell to die."

Since it uses quantum physics to fight cancer, this groundbreaking cancer treatment has been called the first 'quantum therapy,' although its processes are further studied.

Dr. Rawson expressed excitement about the cancer treatment discovery, stating, "For the last couple of decades, there have been a few papers and hypotheses suggesting that as you move from the classical world to the quantum world, you can think of really tiny particles as both particles and waves."

The latest cancer treatment breakthrough might someday be used as a spray.

Innovative Cancer Treatment Using Nanoparticles

Meanwhile, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) researchers have also presented a revolutionary method to identify and get rid of cancer cells, especially those forming solid tumor masses. Gold and copper sulfide hybrid nanoparticles have been developed that can both heat-destruct cancer cells and allow for their detection via sound waves.

According to Jaya Prakash, assistant professor in the Department of Instrumentation and Applied Physics (IAP), IISc, as quoted by The Hindu, "When light is shined on these hybrid nanoparticles, they absorb the light and generate heat, which can kill cancer cells." He further explained that these nanoparticles also create cancer-toxic singlet oxygen atoms, eliminating cells in two ways.

Lung Cancer Vaccine Significantly Reduces Fatality Rate

In a separate development, Ose Immunotherapeutics, a French biotechnology company, reported that its lung cancer vaccine, Tedopi, reduced death by 41%. In Europe and the US, lung cancer is primarily to blame for cancer deaths.

Euronews reported that in a phase 3 clinical study published in Annals of Oncology, Tedopi enhanced survival and quality of life in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC or adenocarcinoma), which is less receptive to traditional treatments. This amazing accomplishment gives those facing this terrible illness a boost of optimism.

Further illustrating Tedopi's potential to change the way lung cancer is treated, Tedopi was given as a third-line therapy to patients who had previously had two other treatments.