Gold Nanoparticles to assist with Cancer Detection
By theprogamer
@theprogamer (10534)
United States
December 27, 2007 11:22pm CST
I thought this one was pretty sweet. Of course the technology is still in development, but it seems like another point could be added to nanotechnology and further cancer research.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071224124751.htm
Apparently these particles are laced with a special dye. When subdermally administered they latch on to tumors and a laser is used to confirm detection. Types of dotting like this have been used in past research and treatment, but this innovation with colloid gold is thus far non-toxic and allows for some better signaling/detection. There are instances of false positives however(particularly with the liver) and the scientists are working to correct the matter. The treatment is also being studied to determine if drugs can be delivered to the tumor using the nanoparticles.
1 person likes this
2 responses
@skinnychick (6905)
• United States
28 Dec 07
So cool- I'm probably a walking nuclear disaster from "quantum dots"- LOL. Sounds like this is less toxic and if they have been using for rheumatoid arthritis, then they must know the safety of it hopefully. Very interesting article thanks for posting it.
2 people like this
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
28 Dec 07
I believe they do know the relative safety of it including the upfront non-toxic aspect. I hope they continue work on it and maybe we'll see a new and effective treatment for forms of cancer (mostly dermal related as described in article, but some internal applications are being hashed out).
1 person likes this
