IISc Bengaluru Develops Nanoparticle-Based Method To Detect, Destroy Cancer Cells

IISc scientists have proposed a novel method for cancer treatment which has the potential of detecting and killing of lung and cervical cancer cells at early stages.

New Delhi: Scientists at the Indian Institute of Science(IISc) have reportedly developed a new method to detect and destroy cancer cells in their nascent stages which can prove to be a major breakthrough in cancer research.

In what could prove to be a massive stride towards a cancer-free world, the IISc scientists have proposed a novel method for cancer treatment which has the potential of detecting and killing of lung and cervical cancer cells at early stages.

Exploiting the anti-cancerous properties of hybrid gold and copper sulphide nanoparticles, the researchers have used these to target malignancy progressing to form a solid tumour mass in the body, Indian Express reported.

According to the scientists, the nanoparticles are rich in in photothermal, oxidative stress and photoacoustic properties and highly boosted cancer detection rate when combined. As part of the experiment, the scientists used cancer cells, obtained from cell lines, to infrared (IR) light at frequencies 960 nanometres (imaging) and 1,064nm for photothermal study.

The study yielded phenomenal results as the method was able not only to detect but also kill the malignant cancer cells. “Along with a good detection rate, the observed cancer killing rate was about 25 per cent ,” said Jaya Prakash, Assistant Professor, Department of Instrumentation and Applied Physics (IAP), IIS.

The researchers further noted that that nanoparticles could also help diagnose other forms of cancers and possibly also eradicate them too.

Prakash is one of the authors of the paper published in the ACS Applied Nano Materials.

Cancer remains one of the most fatal afflictions global and continues to lead to millions of deaths in both developing as well as developed nations.

As per a May 2022 study published in the Bio Medical Central Journal, cancer cases in India are expected to surge t0 29.8 million by 2025. According to the study, the North and Northeast India is likely to bear the brunt of rise in cancer cases, adding that over 40 percent of cancer cases in India will be led by seven types of cancers viz. lung (10.6%), breast (10.5%), oesophagus (5.8%), mouth (5.7%), stomach (5.2%), liver (4.6%), and cervix uteri (4.3%).