Pancreatic cancer is a highly lethal form of cancer in humans. It ranks as the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the western world. Unfortunately, the early stages of the disease often progress silently, resulting in late diagnosis. Additionally, advanced tumors and their metastases cannot be completely removed. Chemotherapies, while targeting tumor cells, also harm healthy cells throughout the body.
Innovative nanoparticles offer a potential new approach for more precise cancer treatment. A research team from the Max Planck Institute (MPI) for Multidisciplinary Sciences, the University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG), and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) has developed this approach. The goal is to optimize the therapy for clinical application as quickly as possible.
This method shows promise in treating pancreatic carcinomas with greater accuracy and fewer side effects compared to current cancer therapies. By using nanoparticles, a large quantity of the active substance Gemcitabine can be directly transported into the tumor.
“By delivering the drug in high concentrations to the tumor cells using nanoparticles, we can enhance its effectiveness while sparing healthy cells. This can reduce the severe side effects associated with Gemcitabine,” explains Myrto Ischyropoulou, the lead author of the study recently published in the journal Advanced Materials.
“Currently, patients receive the free drug, which is distributed throughout the body and can cause toxic effects in various organs. In contrast, the nanoparticles primarily release the drug within the tumor.”
2023-11-15 11:41:03
Article from phys.org