Radiation’s been used for years as an effective form of treating cancer. But, the problem with it is that’s it’s extremely hard to treat the cancerous area without affecting any of the healthy tissue surrounding it. To help solve this issue, a team of scientists from the University of Chicago has developed a number of nanoparticles shaped like a flower. These nanoparticles have the ability to both boosts the effects of radiation and kickstart the immune system to try and seek out any remaining tumors.





This research then led to a new trial led by Wenbin Lin involving a class of materials called metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). These materials got their name from the behavior they display, combining metal nodes with organic binders. Lin’s lab decided that because these MOFs can be made from biodegradable materials they would be good to be used as a potential cancer treatment.

The way in which treatment would work is little frameworks would be injected into the tumor where they would deliver an extra strong dose of radiation. The radiation then sparks a shower of toxic oxygen compounds while at the same time, T-cells storm in and attack the tumor.





“In theory, it could lower the dose for a cure for many cancers, which is great progress because any amount we can reduce the radiation means fewer complications,” said co-author of the study, Ralph Weichselbaum. “And we also hope that the potential activation of the immune system may help us treat tumors that we just can’t reach today.” For many years Lin’s lab has been searching for ways to try and perfect their design. “We’ve learned so much and made some exciting progress,” said Lin. “The prospect of developing a technology that could advance immunotherapy is extremely rewarding.”

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