When a light source was turned on for five minutes, the drugs, which trigger cell suicide or apoptosis, were released and shrank the tumors. Since the drug release is only activated in locations where the light is shining, scientists can direct the drug release within cancer cells. The researchers note that they could load other drugs into the nanoimpellers to treat other diseases that are specific to certain locations and not spread out across the entire body. The nanoimpeller drug delivery system will take several years before it is approved for human use, but Tamanoi says he expects a "clear path" toward approval. If it is approved, patients wouldn't need to worry about inadvertently activing the nanoimpellers by stepping outdoors. The devices only respond to a very specific wavelength of light. "This is a highly significant application of these light activated materials," said Darren Dunphy, a nanomaterials scientist at the University of New Mexico who was not involved in the research. ''This is beyond proof of concept and at some point could be applied to people." Related Links: Eric Bland's blog: What the Tech? |
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