Researchers at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine have made a breakthrough in cancer treatment. They’ve developed a tiny particle that can enter the brain and target both primary breast tumors and secondary brain tumors at the same time. These secondary tumors, known as brain metastases, often arise from cancers like breast, lung, and colon cancer and are tough to treat due to the brain’s protective barrier.
The team’s nanoparticle, detailed in a recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, is loaded with two prodrugs designed to attack cancer cell mitochondria. Mitochondria are the cell’s powerhouses, and by targeting them, the treatment can effectively shrink both breast and brain tumors in lab tests.
Dr. Shanta Dhar, leading the study, emphasizes the potential of nanomedicine in cancer treatment. Their nanoparticle, crafted from a biodegradable polymer, is coupled with two drugs developed in-house. One of these drugs, a modified version of the chemotherapy drug cisplatin, targets mitochondrial DNA instead of nuclear DNA, which cancer cells often repair, leading to resistance.
This innovative approach not only offers hope for more effective cancer treatment but also highlights the growing role of nanotechnology in medicine. As Dr. Dhar puts it, “Nanomedicine is definitely also the future for cancer therapeutics.”
