New Delhi: Scientists at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) in Mohali, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology, have demonstrated that combining ultra-small magnetic nanoparticles (MDs) with a heat-based treatment can help reduce chemotherapy doses while also addressing side effects.
The researchers employed MDs in conjunction with a heat shock protein 90 inhibitor (HSP90i) at suboptimal levels for efficient magnetic hyperthermia-based cancer therapy — combined magnetic hyperthermia and chemotherapy (MHCT).
In rat models, the combination resulted in the highest glioma cell death. Within 8 days, cancer inhibition rates reached 65 percent and 53 percent at the primary and secondary tumour sites, respectively, according to a study published in the journal ACS Nano.
As cancer rates climb around the world, the team believes that novel treatment options are critical.
The scientists stated that the revolutionary approach is less intrusive and has fewer adverse effects. It also minimises the need for chemotherapy, making the treatment safer and more effective.
Chemotherapy and surgery, on the other hand, are established treatments with a range of restrictions, including medication resistance and significant side effects.
The researchers looked at the role of HSP90, a gene that is increased in response to heat stress. By blocking HSP90 with the chemical 17-DMAG, scientists hoped to limit the cells’ ability to repair heat-induced damage, resulting in increased cancer cell death.
“Extensive global research is needed to realise the clinical application of the new therapy, potentially developing an adjuvant or alternative cancer therapy,” the team said.
One significant advantage of this novel therapy is its ability to boost the immune system, so enhancing the body’s natural defence against cancer. Furthermore, by overcoming drug resistance, which is a major obstacle in cancer treatment, this technique opens up new avenues for battling this powerful disease.
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–IANS
