PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

UC develops unique nano carrier to target drug delivery to cancer cells

2013-10-28
(Press-News.org) Contact information: M.B. Reilly
reillymb@ucmail.uc.edu
513-556-1824
University of Cincinnati
UC develops unique nano carrier to target drug delivery to cancer cells A unique nanostructure developed by a team of international researchers, including those at the University of Cincinnati, promises improved all-in-one detection, diagnoses and drug-delivery treatment of cancer cells.

The first-of-its-kind nanostructure is unusual because it can carry a variety of cancer-fighting materials on its double-sided (Janus) surface and within its porous interior. Because of its unique structure, the nano carrier can do all of the following:

Transport cancer-specific detection nanoparticles and biomarkers to a site within the body, e.g., the breast or the prostate. This promises earlier diagnosis than is possible with today's tools.

Attach fluorescent marker materials to illuminate specific cancer cells, so that they are easier to locate and find for treatment, whether drug delivery or surgery.

Deliver anti-cancer drugs for pinpoint targeted treatment of cancer cells, which should result in few drug side effects. Currently, a cancer treatment like chemotherapy affects not only cancer cells but healthy cells as well, leading to serious and often debilitating side effects.

This research, titled "Dual Surface Functionalized Janus Nanocomposites of Polystyrene//Fe304@Si02 for Simultaneous Tumor Cell Targeting and pH-Triggered Drug Release," will be presented as an invited talk on Oct. 30, 2013, at the annual Materials Science & Technology Conference in Montreal, Canada. Researchers are Feng Wang, a former UC doctoral student and now a postdoc at the University of Houston; Donglu Shi, professor of materials science and engineering at UC's College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS); Yilong Wang of Tongji University, Shanghai, China; Giovanni Pauletti, UC associate professor of pharmacy; Juntao Wang of Tongji University, China; Jiaming Zhang of Stanford University; and Rodney Ewing of Stanford University.

This recently developed Janus nanostructure is unusual in that, normally, these super-small structures (that are much smaller than a single cell) have limited surface. This makes is difficult to carry multiple components, e.g., both cancer detection and drug-delivery materials. The Janus nanocomponent, on the other hand, has functionally and chemically distinct surfaces to allow it to carry multiple components in a single assembly and function in an intelligent manner.

"In this effort, we're using existing basic nano systems, such as carbon nanotubes, graphene, iron oxides, silica, quantum dots and polymeric nano materials in order to create an all-in-one, multidimensional and stable nano carrier that will provide imaging, cell targeting, drug storage and intelligent, controlled drug release," said UC's Shi, adding that the nano carrier's promise is currently greatest for cancers that are close to the body's surface, such as breast and prostate cancer.

If such nano technology can someday become the norm for cancer detection, it promises earlier, faster and more accurate diagnosis at lower cost than today's technology. (Currently, the most common methods used in cancer diagnosis are magnetic resonance imaging or MRI; Positron Emission Tomography or PET; and Computed Tomography or CT imaging, however, they are costly and time consuming to use.)

In addition, when it comes to drug delivery, nano technology like this Janus structure, would better control the drug dose, since that dose would be targeted to cancer cells. In this way, anticancer drugs could be used much more efficiently, which would, in turn, lower the total amount of drug administered.

INFORMATION:

This work was provided support via grants from the National Science Foundation (No. IOS-0843424); National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51003077, No. 51173135, and No. 51073121); Shanghai Nano-program (No. 11nm0506011); and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities.

END



ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Overlooked lymph nodes in rib cage have prognostic power for mesothelioma patients

2013-10-28
Overlooked lymph nodes in rib cage have prognostic power for mesothelioma patients SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA—For the first time, researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania have shown the predictive power ...

Pregnant women with hepatitis C may pass heartier viral strain to newborns, study suggests

2013-10-28
Pregnant women with hepatitis C may pass heartier viral strain to newborns, study suggests Infants who get hepatitis C from their mothers during childbirth may inherit a viral strain that replicates more quickly than strains found ...

Researchers measure flow from a nanoscale fluid jet

2013-10-28
Researchers measure flow from a nanoscale fluid jet Jet measures 20 to 150 nanometers in diameter -- just a few hundred water molecules across Fluid jets are all around us: from inkjet printing, to the "Old Faithful" geyser in Yellowstone National Park, to ...

Historic demonstration proves laser communication possible

2013-10-28
Historic demonstration proves laser communication possible In the early morning hours of Oct. 18, NASA's Lunar Laser Communication Demonstration (LLCD) made history, transmitting data from lunar orbit to Earth at a rate of 622 Megabits-per-second ...

What do we know -- and not know -- about fracking?

2013-10-28
What do we know -- and not know -- about fracking? 2013 GSA Annual Meeting Pardee Keynote Sympsium Boulder, Colo., USA - Fracking is in the headlines a lot these days, and everyone has an opinion about it. But how much do we really know for certain about the oil and ...

Novel mutations define 2 types of bone tumor

2013-10-28
Novel mutations define 2 types of bone tumor 2 related genes underlie the development of two rare bone tumours in nearly 100 percent of patients Scientists have made a rare discovery that allows them to attribute two types of tumour almost entirely ...

Rare childhood disease may hold clues to treating Alzheimer's and Parkinson's

2013-10-28
Rare childhood disease may hold clues to treating Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Rutgers scientists investigate excess protein production in brain cells Scientists at Rutgers University studying the cause of a rare childhood disease that leaves children unable to ...

Scientists eye longer-term forecasts of US heat waves

2013-10-28
Scientists eye longer-term forecasts of US heat waves BOULDER -- Scientists have fingerprinted a distinctive atmospheric wave pattern high above the Northern Hemisphere that can foreshadow the emergence ...

Radioactive waste: Where to put it?

2013-10-28
Radioactive waste: Where to put it? 2013 GSA Annual Meeting Boulder, CO, USA — As the U.S. makes new plans for disposing of spent nuclear fuel and other high-level radioactive waste deep underground, geologists are key to identifying safe burial sites and techniques. ...

Mount Sinai researchers identify mechanisms and potential biomarkers of tumor cell dormancy

2013-10-28
Mount Sinai researchers identify mechanisms and potential biomarkers of tumor cell dormancy May be able to recreate conditions that keep cancer cells from growing after they have spread Oncologists have long puzzled over ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Transnational electoral participation of undocumented Mexican immigrants in the US

A new method to build more energy-efficient memory devices for a sustainable data future

Freely levitating rotor spins out ultraprecise sensors for classical and quantum physics

‘Chinese lantern’ structure shifts into more than a dozen shapes for various applications

Towards light-controlled electronic components

Tiny architects, titanic climate impact: scientists call for October 10 to become International Coccolithophore Day

Stress sensitivity makes suicidal thoughts more extreme and persistent among the university population

Lessons from Ascension’s shark troubles could help boost conservation

Fire provides long-lasting benefits to bird populations in Sierra Nevada National Parks

Menstrual cycle affects women’s reaction time but not as much as being active

Housing associations more effective than government in supporting unemployed in deprived areas

Biochar helps composting go greener by cutting greenhouse gas emissions

Ulrich named president-elect of the AACI

Multitasking makes you more likely to fall for phishing emails

Researchers solve model that can improve sustainable design, groundwater management, nuclear waste storage, and more

Parched soils can spark hot drought a nation away

Uncovering new physics in metals manufacturing

Sped-up evolution may help bacteria take hold in gut microbiome, UCLA-led research team finds

The dose-dependent effects of dissolved biochar on C. elegans: Insights into the physiological and transcriptomic responses

New research reveals genetic link to most common pediatric bone cancer

Research conducted during 2024 eclipse reveals importance of light on bird behavior

Why does female fertility decline so fast? The key is the ovary

Total solar eclipse triggers dawn behavior in birds

Europe’s largest bats hunt and eat migrating birds on the wing, high in the sky

China’s emerging AI regulation could foster an open and safe future for AI

The secret to naked mole-rat’s longevity: Enhanced DNA repair

Acidic tumor environment promotes survival and growth of cancer cells

New biosensor tracks plants’ immune hormone in real time

New study finds gaps in REDD+ forest carbon offsets with most overstating climate impacts

Mystery solved: How Europe’s largest bat catches and eats passerines mid-air

[Press-News.org] UC develops unique nano carrier to target drug delivery to cancer cells