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Cancer and Nanotechnology

Sam Mueting. Cancer and Nanotechnology. Photo Credit:. Background Information on Cancer. Contact inhibition Diseased cells can spread Detection, imaging, and treatment Malignant tumors. http://www.chemocare.com/bio/taxol.asp. Problems With Conventional Treatments. Taxol

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Cancer and Nanotechnology

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  1. Sam Mueting Cancer and Nanotechnology Photo Credit:

  2. Background Information on Cancer • Contact inhibition • Diseased cells can spread • Detection, imaging, and treatment • Malignant tumors http://www.chemocare.com/bio/taxol.asp

  3. Problems With Conventional Treatments • Taxol • Destruction of cells: dividing or resting • DNA and RNA destruction • Antimicrotubule agents • Doesn’t distinguish between cells • New cells grow back, but there are consequences/ side effects http://www.chemocare.com/bio/taxol.asp

  4. Ways nanotechnology could solve this problem • Tumors are porous • Directly target the cancer cells • Imaging techniques • Drug delivery techniques/nanovectors http://www.understandingnano.com/medicine.html

  5. Quantum dots/ Imaging • Semiconductor, inert polymer coating. • Attach antibodies, drugs • Linked nanotransistors and quantum dots; conductance changed upon detection of indicator proteins http://nano.cancer.gov/learn/impact/diagnosis.asp

  6. Gold nanoparticles • “Oldest” form of nanotreatment • Different properties at a nanoscale • Delivered to site, then light is shone on them • Light cooks the tumor • Research is being done to find the most efficient frequencies or sizes of particles. http://www.nature.com/nrc/journal/v3/n12/full/nrc1248.html

  7. Nanoshells • Gold surrounding a silicon core (100 nm) or other metals surrounding a dielectric core • 820 nm light (near infrared)(NIR) • Diffuse throughout the tumor (porous tumors) • NIR light can permeate about 1cm or more into skin. • Requires a period of incubation before the tissues can be destroyed • Heat destroys the cell membranes, killing the cells • Kills only the cancer cells http://www.nature.com/nrc/journal/v3/n12/full/nrc1248.html

  8. http://www.nature.com/nrc/journal/v3/n12/full/nrc1248.html

  9. Problems with “Big Pharma” • Many treatments work on an individual scale • Prolonged vs. short-term • Organization, History, Hubris • Lux Research • 16 people • 1 in 6 had a plan • none of the companies • viewed nanotech as a • corporate priority http://www.in-pharmatechnologist.com/Industry-Drivers/Big-pharma-missing-the-nanotechnology-boat

  10. Nanotechnology and Cancer Research Today • U.S. National Institutes of Health • Top 5 priorities • National Cancer Institute • $144 million initiative (2004) • Europe • Why won’t we see it tomorrow? • Governmental regulation • Expenses http://www.in-pharmatechnologist.com/Industry-Drivers/Big-pharma-missing-the-nanotechnology-boat

  11. Conclusions • Modern treatments for cancer are sometimes effective, but carry negative side effects • Nanotechnology is being heavily researched by private companies, but not much by drug companies. • Nanotechnology presents ways of dealing with location, imaging, and treatment simultaneously. • As treatment methods become less expensive and more researched, these treatments will become more utilized.

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