A new way of fighting prostate cancer with microscopic magnets shows promise as a treatment for advanced disease, experts have said.
In laboratory tests, magnetic nanoparticles were used to steer therapeutic white blood cells into the hearts of tumours.
The macrophage blood cells were "armed" with a virus which began to replicate after reaching the cancer target.
Once infected, the cancer cells were destroyed. At the same time the multiplying virus spread to attack neighbouring prostate cancer cells.
Previous attempts at the same strategy were hampered by the poor ability of macrophages to penetrate deep into tumours.
The new approach inserts tiny magnetic particles into the macrophages which can be moved by an external magnet, dragging the cells with them.
In the tests, the cells were pulled deep into tumour "spheroids" using an external magnetic force. The more macrophages that could be delivered into cancer cells, the greater the number of cancer cells that were destroyed.
Dr Jay Richardson, from the University of Sheffield, said: "We know that when prostate cancer develops, a type of white blood cells called macrophages flock to the scene.
"Previous research has allowed us to harness these cells to deliver cancer fighting therapies directly into the cancer cells. Now, with some magnetic assistance, we are able to refine this method so that the macrophages reach and deliver the therapy to prostate cancer cells only, leaving healthy cells unharmed."
The findings were presented at the National Cancer Research Institute Cancer Conference in Liverpool.
Copyright © 2011 The Press Association. All rights reserved.
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario