Nanotechnology May Help Identify Early-Stage Mesothelioma

The earlier cancer is discovered, the greater the chances of successfully fighting it.  Advances in medicine are helping to put earlier detection within closer reach.  Nanotechnology, which combines molecular science and technology, is one such advancement that may help in identifying cancers such as mesothelioma at an early stage.

While cancer cells result in the production of unique proteins which could theoretically aid in detection of the disease, it is not easy to spot these proteins.  This is due to the fact that the proteins become weakened in a patient’s bloodstream.  Applying nanotechnology may enable scientists to increase the visibility of cancer indicators through engineered biomarkers.  This could help doctors more readily locate and identify molecules linked to cancer.  

Nanotechnology functions by making use of nanoparticles, which, due to their microscopic size, have properties that are different from those of materials on a larger scale.  Scientists treat the nanoparticles with peptides that are susceptible to attack from enzymes called MMPs, which are frequently secreted by cancer cells.

The nanoparticles are injected into a person’s body, and once there, they will connect with a tumor.  The cancer enzymes cut many peptides off the nanoparticles into even smaller fragments, which make their way into the bloodstream.  The enzymes then build up in the kidneys, which results in biomarkers being passed into a person’s urine.  The biomarkers can be identified in the urine, and can help lead to earlier detection of disease.  Another benefit of this type of research is that it is far less invasive than other methods of diagnosis, such as a biopsy.

Once the biomarkers have been spotted and sampled, mass spectrometry is utilized to view the particles, and to tell them apart.  This helps researchers determine characteristics attached to specific tumors.

The process might also enable tracking of disease proliferation in the body, as well as measuring the effectiveness of treatment on tumors.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is focused on ensuring the safety and effectiveness of nanotechnology as it is applied to medicine, and is actively monitoring developments.

source: cooneyconway.com

'Smart' nanoparticles may replace injections for diabetes treatment

In the near future, diabetics may no longer have to suffer multiple injections of insulin daily. Injections may be reduced to just once per week, and instead if insulin being fired into the bloodstream, nanoparticles may take its place, according to Time.

Scientists at North Carolina State University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Children Hospital Boston are behind the research that may change the lives of an estimated 366 million people worldwide suffering from diabetes.

“We’ve created a ‘smart’ system that is injected into the body and responds to changes in blood sugar by releasing insulin, effectively controlling blood-sugar levels,” said biomedical engineering assistant professor Dr. Zhen Gu of North Caroline State University. “We’ve tested the technology in mice, and one injection was able to maintain blood sugar levels in the normal range for up to 10 days.”

Diabetes is a metabolic condition in which the sufferer has increased levels of glucose, or “blood sugar”. Glucose is important because it release energy the body requires to function properly. Insulin is the hormone responsible for bringing this energy to the body’s cellular network. Problems arise when not enough insulin is produced, leading to an unhealthy buildup of blood sugar. Symptoms can include frequent urination as well as increased thirst and hunger.

If left untreated, diabetes can lead to death. Diabetics therefore have to closely observe their blood sugar levels daily, as well as inject themselves with insulin several times a day. This has proven as much of a hassle as it is painful to sufferers of the disease.

The proposed new treatment involves introducing nanopartciles, each containing insulin and special enzymes modified to detect glucose, into the bloodstream. The enzymes will circulate throughout the body, immediately converting the glucose they come into contact with into insulin. The enzymes are “fully biocompatible and dissolve in the body,” according to the researchers.

“This technology effectively creates a ‘closed-loop’ system that mimics the activity of the pancreas in a healthy person, releasing insulin in response to glucose level changes,” said Gu. “This has the potential to improve the health and quality of life of diabetes patients.”

The research was recently published in the science journal ACS Nano. The scientists are keen to commence human testing. — TJD, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com