Radioactive nanoparticles that target cancer cells developed

The  scientists cover the lutetium nano-particles with gold shells and attach targeting agents.

Researchers have found a way to create radioactive nano-

particles that target lymphoma tumour cells wherever they 

may be in the body.

Cancers of all types become most deadly when they 

metastasise and spread tumours throughout the body. Once 

cancer has reached this stage, it becomes very difficult for 

doctors to locate and treat the numerous tumours that can 

develop.

An associate professor of oncology stated that being able to 

target secondary tumours is vital to successfully treating 

patients with progressive cancers.

“Depending on the type of cancer, primary tumours usually 

are not the cause of death for cancer patients. If a cancer 

metastasises, or spreads creating hard-to-find tumours, it 

often becomes fatal. Having a way to identify and shrink 

these secondary tumours is of utmost importance when 

fighting to save people with these diseases,” he said.

In an effort to find a way to locate and kill secondary tumours, 

researchers have successfully created nano-particles made 

of a radioactive form of the element lutetium. The 

scientists then covered the lutetium nano-particles with gold 

shells and attached targeting agents.

In previous research, the researcher has already proven the 

effectiveness of similar targeting agents in mice and dogs 

suffering from tumours. In that research, the targeting agents 

were attached to single radioactive atoms that were 

introduced into the bodies of animals with cancer. The 

targeting agents were able to seek out the tumours existing 

within the animals, which were then revealed through radio-

imaging of those animals.

In their current research, the scientists have shown the 

targeting agents can deliver the new radioactive lutetium 

nano-particles to lymphoma tumour cells without attaching to 

and damaging healthy cells in the process.

A researcher said this is an important step toward developing 

therapies for lymphoma and other advanced-stage cancers.

“The ability to deliver multiple radioactive atoms to individual 

cancer cells should greatly increase our ability to selectively 

kill these cells. We are very optimistic about the synergy of 

combining the targeting strategy developed in the lab with our 

work on new radioactive nano-particles,” he said.

This study is an example of the collaborative research taking 

place. The early-stage results of this research are promising. 

If additional studies, including animal studies, are successful 

within the next few years, the researchers will request 

permission from the federal government to begin human drug 

development. After this status has been granted, researchers

may conduct human clinical trials with the hope of developing 

new treatments.