According to researchers, the ‘smart-bomb’ will relieve cancer
sufferers of their trauma sans the adverse effects that are part and parcel of the traditional chemotherapy treatment presently practiced.
Associate Professor Wei Duan at the Deakin University, who heads the project in collaboration with scientists in India stated, "Cancer cells are particularly difficult to kill as they contain so-called cancer stem cells, the root or seed cancer cells that are resistant to drugs.
"While current treatments kill the bulk of the cancer cell, the cancer root escapes the therapy and can regenerate into a new cancer mass.
"The aim of our research is to develop a smart bomb that can penetrate the cell and release the drugs within the cells, rather than from the outside, and kills the whole tumour, root and all."
The working of the ‘smart bomb’
According to the scientists, the mechanism is aimed at killing the root of the cells that play a vital role in generating the lethal cells in body.
The process involves a molecular drug delivery system which will pick out the active cells of the cancer before they can develop into a full blown lethal disease.
Researchers are designing a chemical antibody that will bind the cancer cells, which together with the technique known as 'RNA interference', or gene silencing, will penetrate and destroys mutated cells that cause the occurrence and reoccurrence of cancer.
Dr Duan stated, "Our precision-guided cancer therapy will afford reduced side-effects, decreased toxicity to normal cells. We will probably still be using existing drugs but the way we use them will be much more specific.
"We're not saying we will have a cure cancer in 10 years but at least these people will live longer and importantly enjoy a higher quality of life."
The researchers are optimistic that the clinical trials of the treatment will soon be on the way.
A little about cancer
Cancer is a class of diseases characterized by out-of-control cell growth. The normal process of the body is the formation of new cells that replace old cells that die.
Sometimes, new cells are generated even when not required and old cells don't die when they should. These cells divide uncontrollably to form a mass called a tumor.
Tumors can be benign or malignant. Tumors that stay in one spot and demonstrate limited growth are generally considered to be benign.
However, cells from malignant tumors can invade nearby tissues. They can also break away and spread to other parts of the body interfering with the digestive, nervous, and circulatory systems and they can release hormones that alter body functions.
There are over 100 different types of cancer, and most cancers are named for where they start, like the lung cancer starts in the lung, and breast cancer starts in the breast.
The spread of cancer from one part of the body to another is called metastasis. Symptoms and treatment depend on the cancer type and how advanced it is.
Treatment plans may include surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy.
Post new comment