Researchers at the MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine at the University of Twente have developed tiny gold nanorods—about a thousandth the width of a human hair—that effectively combat tumor cells.
In rigorous animal studies, these scientists demonstrated the nanorods' impressive efficacy against tumors.
Antibodies
Here's how it works: The nanorods are coated with antibodies—specialized proteins—that specifically bind to tumor cells. This binding allows surgeons to precisely locate the cells within the body. Shining infrared light on the nanorods then heats them intensely, destroying the tumor cells on the spot.
Preventing Clumping
One challenge was the nanorods' tendency to clump together in the body. Initial coatings prevented this but inadvertently harmed healthy cells. The Twente team refined their approach, developing a new coating that stops clumping without affecting healthy tissue. This innovation also helps the nanorods evade the immune system temporarily, ensuring they reach their targets effectively.
The researchers confirmed that the nanorods persist long enough in the body to locate and eliminate cancer cells.
This 'gold research' involves leading Dutch institutions, including Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, the Netherlands Cancer Institute, and the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM).
