New carrier particle discovered for drug transport in the body
Published: Tuesday, Dec 10th 2024, 10:00
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Researchers at ETH Zurich have discovered particles that can be used to deliver drugs precisely to a cancerous tumor in the body, for example. The particles are reminiscent of paper flowers or sand roses and are made of zinc oxide, for example.
ETH Zurich announced on Tuesday that scientists have long been investigating how a drug can be placed in the body exactly where it is supposed to work. The aim is, for example, to prevent the side effects of cancer drugs.
Until now, researchers have mainly relied on tiny gas bubbles to transport drugs through the bloodstream. The Zurich researchers have now been able to show that solid microparticles can also be controlled acoustically. They did this using ultrasound, as these particles scatter sound waves.
The advantage of the "flower particles" over gas bubbles is that the former have a much larger surface area. Larger quantities of active ingredient fit into the spaces between the "petals". In addition, the particles can be coated with molecules that absorb light. They are therefore easily visible. Their path can be easily tracked.
In the Petri dish, the researchers led by Daniel Razansky and Metin Sitti were able to show that the particles can be loaded with a cancer drug. In mice, they used focused ultrasound to capture the particles at a predetermined location in the bloodstream.
Further studies in animals are now planned before this technology can also benefit people with circulatory diseases or cancer.
©Keystone/SDA
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