{"id":4879,"date":"2023-07-22T18:59:24","date_gmt":"2023-07-22T18:59:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/?p=4879"},"modified":"2023-07-22T18:59:24","modified_gmt":"2023-07-22T18:59:24","slug":"trojan-horse-nanoparticles-kill-cancer-cells-without-drugs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/?p=4879","title":{"rendered":"Trojan Horse\u201d Nanoparticles Kill Cancer Cells Without Drugs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20370%20247'%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-142.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"zeen-lazy-load-base zeen-lazy-load wp-image-4880\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-142.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-142.png 1024w, https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-142-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-142-770x513.png 770w, https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-142-370x247.png 370w, https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-142-293x195.png 293w, https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-142-120x80.png 120w, https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-142-240x160.png 240w, https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-142-390x260.png 390w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the ceaseless quest for finding more efficient methods of treating cancer, scientists have made an unprecedented breakthrough. They\u2019ve engineered a \u201cTrojan horse\u201d mechanism that deploys anticancer nanoparticles into cancer cells, causing them to self-destruct without needing any drugs. The term \u201cTrojan horse\u201d hails from the ancient Greek tale, employed here as a metaphor to describe the method by which these nanoparticles infiltrate cancer cells. Although research is still in the early stages, this innovative approach has shown remarkable effectiveness in destroying cancer cells in a petri dish and reducing tumor growth in mice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Innovation at Nanyang Technological University Singapore (NTU Singapore)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20370%20247'%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-143-1024x683.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"zeen-lazy-load-base zeen-lazy-load wp-image-4881\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-143-1024x683.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4881\" srcset=\"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-143-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-143-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-143-770x513.png 770w, https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-143-1536x1024.png 1536w, https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-143-1155x770.png 1155w, https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-143-370x247.png 370w, https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-143-293x195.png 293w, https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-143-1400x933.png 1400w, https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-143-120x80.png 120w, https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-143-240x160.png 240w, https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-143-390x260.png 390w, https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-143.png 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Researchers at NTU Singapore have skillfully developed their \u201cTrojan horse\u201d by impregnating an anti-cancer nanoparticle with a specific amino acid, known as L-phenylalanine. This amino acid is crucial for the growth of cancer cells, making it the perfect disguise for the anticancer nanoparticle. As the cancer cells seek to absorb the L-phenylalanine, they unknowingly allow the deadly nanoparticle into their structure, subsequently leading to their self-destruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Power of Nano-pPAAM<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The nano-sized Trojan horse is known as Nano-pPAAM. This ultrasmall particle, with a diameter of just 30 nanometers, possesses \u201cexcellent intrinsic anticancer and cancer-selective properties,\u201d as documented in the scientific\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/media.ntu.edu.sg\/NewsReleases\/Pages\/newsdetail.aspx?news=8a36c19f-9d5b-45b7-86bc-a5cd655eefc7\">paper<\/a>\u00a0published by the research team. Once inside the cancer cells, Nano-pPAAM stimulates an excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to cancer cell death, while not posing any harm to healthy cells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Comparative Effectiveness of Nano-pPAAM<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The potency of the nanoparticle was tested extensively in the lab. The team found that the nanoparticle killed about 80 percent of breast, skin, and gastric cancer cells, a rate comparable to some currently used cancer drugs. Furthermore, it was observed to reduce tumor growth by approximately 60 percent in mice implanted with human triple-negative breast cancer cells compared to control models.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Paradigm Shift in Cancer Treatment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Assistant Professor Dalton Tay, lead study author from the School of Materials Science and Engineering at NTU Singapore, shed light on this unique approach. \u201cAgainst conventional wisdom, our approach involved using the nanomaterial as a drug instead as a drug-carrier. The cancer-selective and killing properties of Nano-pPAAM are intrinsic and do not need to be \u2018activated\u2019 by any external stimuli. The amino acid L-phenylalanine acts as a \u2018trojan horse\u2019 \u2013 a cloak to mask the nanotherapeutic on the inside.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By doing away with the drug component, the team has effectively simplified the nanomedicine formulation, potentially overcoming the myriad technological hurdles that have so far hindered the bench-to-bedside translation of drug-based nanomedicine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Starving Cancer Cells<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Earlier studies have suggested that cancer tumor growth could be slowed or prevented by \u201cstarving\u201d cancer cells of these vital amino acids through fasting or special protein-deficient diets. However, these diets might not always be beneficial to the patient, especially if they\u2019re already debilitated by their disease. This innovative method, in contrast, would theoretically not have this adverse effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Road Ahead<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The researchers\u2019 next objective is to further refine the design of Nano-pPAAM to make it more precise in targeting specific cancer types and enhance its efficiency in killing tumors. However, there is still a long way to go before this method can be considered a viable cancer treatment for humans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20370%20247'%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-144.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"zeen-lazy-load-base zeen-lazy-load wp-image-4882\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-144.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4882\" srcset=\"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-144.png 1000w, https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-144-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-144-770x514.png 770w, https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-144-370x247.png 370w, https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-144-293x195.png 293w, https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-144-120x80.png 120w, https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-144-240x160.png 240w, https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/image-144-390x260.png 390w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Addressing Drug Resistance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With some cancers developing resistance to the current suite of drugs available, scientists are always on the lookout for fresh approaches to treat cancer. \u201cThis novel approach could hold much promise for cancer cells that have failed to respond to conventional treatment like chemotherapy,\u201d explained Associate Professor Tan Ern Yu, a breast cancer specialist at Tan Tock Seng Hospital who was not involved in the study. \u201cSuch cancers often have evolved mechanisms of resistance to the drugs currently in use, rendering them ineffective. However, the cancer cells could potentially still be susceptible to the \u2018Trojan horse\u2019 approach since it acts through a different mechanism \u2013 one that the cells will not have adapted to.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This promising \u201cTrojan horse\u201d approach, which leverages Nano-pPAAM, might be a groundbreaking stride in cancer treatment, potentially revolutionizing the field by providing a novel mechanism to combat drug-resistant cancers. While further refinement and testing are needed, the preliminary results demonstrate the significant potential of this method in improving cancer treatment outcomes, offering a beacon of hope for those grappling with the devastating disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With cancer being a significant global health concern, advancements like these underscore the importance of continuous research and innovation. Indeed, the innovative approach from NTU Singapore provides a glimmer of hope, setting the stage for a new era of more efficient, targeted cancer therapies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For more detailed information about this research, you can read the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/media.ntu.edu.sg\/NewsReleases\/Pages\/newsdetail.aspx?news=8a36c19f-9d5b-45b7-86bc-a5cd655eefc7\">official NTU Singapore news release<\/a>\u00a0and the in-depth analysis on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.iflscience.com\/health-and-medicine\/invisibility-cloak-helps-cancer-medicine-destroy-drug-resistant-tumors\/\">IFL Science<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe class=\"zeen-lazy-load-base zeen-lazy-load\" title=\"This Revolutionary Treatment Kills Cancer From the Inside Out\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"about:blank\" data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/_Au5plbXm3Y?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><noscript><iframe title=\"This Revolutionary Treatment Kills Cancer From the Inside Out\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/_Au5plbXm3Y?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/noscript>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthy-holistic-living.com\/trojan-horse-nanoparticles-kill-cancer-cells-without-drugs\/\">https:\/\/www.healthy-holistic-living.com\/trojan-horse-nanoparticles-kill-cancer-cells-without-drugs\/<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In the ceaseless quest for finding more efficient methods of treating cancer, scientists have made an unprecedented breakthrough. They\u2019ve engineered a \u201cTrojan horse\u201d mechanism that deploys anticancer nanoparticles into cancer cells, causing them to self-destruct without needing any drugs. The term \u201cTrojan horse\u201d hails from the ancient Greek tale, employed here as a metaphor to describe the method by which these nanoparticles infiltrate cancer cells. Although research is still in the early stages, this innovative approach has shown remarkable effectiveness [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4879","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-cancer-research"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4879","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4879"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4879\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4883,"href":"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4879\/revisions\/4883"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4879"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4879"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthnews.zone\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4879"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}