Imagine nanoparticles a few thousand times smaller than the dot on this "i" that can target and destroy cancerous tumors while minimizing harmful effects on the rest of the body. At the Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine, this technology is becoming a reality.
In 2005, the School of Medicine received a $16 million grant to establish the Siteman Center of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence (SCCNE). This grant was one of eight awarded nationwide by the National Cancer Institute to fund the research and applications of nanotechnology in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
“Nanotechnology will affect the practice of medicine as we know it,” says Samuel Wickline, MD, head of the SCCNE. “This is a new and emerging concept in which these nanoparticles, or 'medical missiles,' are some of the fastest-growing and powerful tools available to treat cancer.”
Already, many nanoparticle-based treatments for cancer are being tested in clinical studies, and some are proving effective, such as Abraxane, which has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in some patients with breast cancer.
Hitting the Target
Essentially, nanoparticles are extremely small carriers of medicinal agents. When injected into the bloodstream, they seek out and attach to tumors, delivering therapeutic drugs exactly where they are needed to kill cancer cells. As a result, treatment is more accurate, with fewer harmful side effects to healthy tissue.
Nanoparticles can also carry imaging agents that cause the molecules to light up when they reach tumor sites, which can make it easier to spot diseased areas during detection screenings such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound. When used this way, nanoparticles have great potential to find cancer earlier—when treatment may be more effective—than traditional detection methods.
Successful Destinations
Research indicates nanoparticles will be useful in many types of cancer treatment. However, the SCCNE is currently investigating their use in fast-growing tumors, including melanoma and in organs or tissues such as the lung, breast, colon and prostate.
“There are many more possibilities to explore with nanotechnology in the coming years,” says Dr. Wickline. “At the SCCNE, we've developed a team of experts in areas such as mathematics, biology, bioengineering and computer technology. While this may sound unusual, this perspective allows us to see the grand potential of nanotechnology and how it will change the world of cancer treatment, as these particles become more readily used in everyday medicine.”
For more information about nanotechnology at the Siteman Cancer Center or for referral to a cancer specialist, call 314-TOP-DOCS (314-867-3627) or toll-free 866-867-3627.