Princess Margaret Hospital researchers have developed a harmless, environmental organic nanoparticle that utilizes light and heat to treat cancer and supply drugs. Importance of this new nanoparticle is that it has an exclusive flexible structure, which can possibly modify the treatment for tumors.
The researchers have merged two natural molecules namely chlorophyll and lipid to develop new nanoparticle, which holds promise for many biophotonic applications. This novel nanoparticle is tiny and colorful water balloon shaped so that it can fill drugs to target the tumor.
In order to destroy tumors, Photothermal therapy is employed that uses light and heat. The nanoparticle targeting the tumor can quickly absorb laser light and will heat the tumor to a 60◦ temperature and destroys it. There is another way of combining light and sound to identify and target tumors is photoacoustic imaging, which uses this nanoparticle to create a very high-resolution image. The nanoparticle will turn fluorescent to signal when it hits the targeted tumor.
Compared to other nanoparticles, this novel particle can be used for various kinds of cancer imaging and treatments, which was not previously possible. These particles hold possibilities for clinical use.
Source: http://www.uhn.ca/