We see in futuristic movies of silicon micro-chips and techno-bugs being implanted into the body. We wonder whether we would be alive to see the day when computerized pieces of technology the size of a grain of rice or significantly smaller will be embedded into our bodies to roam freely. That day is coming sooner than we think. Scientists from MIT have created what they call remote-controlled nano-particles to help in the fight against cancer.
With the aid of highly modernized equipment like magnetic resonance imaging or MRIs and compound trinocular microscopes, the scientists explain that with these nano particles implanted into our system, they can be triggered to release drugs that will attack the tumors. The creation hopes to improve cancer treatment and prognosis of certain diseases.
How do the nano-particles get into the body in the first place? The scientists explained that the multi functional nano-particles are injected and designed to flow with the bloodstream. Cancer tumors rely greatly on blood supply, so as the nano-particles find them, they clump with the tumor. As viewed via the compound trinocular microscope, tumors can be easily visualized with the nano-particles sticking to them. Compound trinocular microscopes help to monitor the progress of the nano-particles, and MRI monitors the cancer tumor. These equipment are not only used in hospital laboratory setting anymore but have been widely popular in research settings.
Now comes the therapeutic part of these nano-particles. Since they are superparamagnetic, these particles are able to emit heat when a subjected to a magnetic field. Therapeutic drugs used to attack the tumors can be attached to these particles, which are active molecules. With the help of the high magnification of the compound trinocular microscope, as the magnetic field triggers these molecules, the drugs are brought to the tumor. These magnetic waves have relatively low frequencies, so that as the nano particles move the person should not feel any discomfort of pain.
Testing the nano-particles proved to be a challenge. The researchers used laboratory mice and implanted them with a tumor-like gel that was inundated with nanoparticles. They then put the mouse into a kind of barrel that had electrical coil surrounding it. From these coils the magnetic pulse was activated. Researchers discovered that the pulses broke the DNA tethers that held the drugs to the nano particles, therefore the drug was released into the tumor. Without the magnetic trigger, the drugs remained tethered to the nano-particles.
This experiment is a breakthrough for medical science, but it still has a long way to go before clinicians use this technique in clinics and hospitals. One of the important aspects the researchers are trying to perfect is how to achieve particles that can be intravenously injected to efficiently form a tight mass into the tumor. The nano particles are like a homing device that will home in on the tumor. A critical mass needs to be attained before the particles can be heated and the drugs dispersed. When cultivated, this technique will provide a safe and efficient way of target treating tumors.