According to a recently published paper in the National Academy of Science journal a team of researchers of the University of Rhode Island and Brown University has got positive result in developing a nanoparticle named ‘Cu-Cy’ to be used to treat deep-seated cancer tumors. The team investigated the use of X-rays and copper-cysteamine (Cu-Cy) nanoparticles to treat deep-seated tumors, resulting in statistically significant reduction in tumor size. in are developing

This paper is the result of an ongoing research collaboration between Wei Chen and Michael Antosh, assistant professor of physics and medical physics program director at the University of Rhode Island.

Chen is developing a photosensitizer nanoparticles for use in photodynamic therapy,a tried and tested cancer treatment method that activates reactive oxygen species to kill cancer cells without damaging the healthy cells around them. Reactive oxygen species, a natural byproduct of the body’s metabolism of oxygen, help kill toxins in the body but can also be harmful to cells if they reach critical levels.

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“Traditional nanoparticles used for photodynamic therapy can only be activated by light that is not highly penetrating, meaning we’re limited with how deep we can go to target tumors. ‘Cu-Cy’ is unique among other nanoparticles we’ve investigated because it can be activated by radiation, which can penetrate far deeper and reach tumors throughout the body” said Chen.

“Building on Wei’s expertise in this important research area, my lab focused on the experiments testing the effect of the nanoparticles on tumor size after radiation therapy, with the help of expert analysis by Jing Wu, assistance professor of statistics at the University of Rhode Island, we have enough data to draw reliable conclusions for the first time that radiation and Cu-Cy nanoparticles act as an effective cancer treatment” mentioned Antosh.

In another paper Chen had described how nanoparticles can be activated effectively by microwaves for cancer cell destruction.

“We continue to pursue multiple combinations within photodynamic therapy each new discovery represents potential new avenues for treating cancer patients because we can leave their healthy cells virtually unaffected.”

It is the second time Antosh and Chen have jointly published. Also, Wei Chen is now an official partner in this research.

We can expect the hard work of these researches brings something good in the field of cancer treatment and these technologies can be used one day soon to treat cancer patent in a more better way.

for more information you can visit: https://www.pnas.org/content/116/34/16823