Tiny magnetic discs could kill cancer cells: study

[The Sonar Chicken]

news.yahoo.com/s/afp/healthnanotechnologycancer

PARIS (AFP) – Tiny magnetic discs just a millionth of a metre in diameter could be used to used to kill cancer cells, according to a study published on Sunday.

Laboratory tests found the so-called "nanodiscs", around 60 billionths of a metre thick, could be used to disrupt the membranes of cancer cells, causing them to self-destruct.

The discs are made from an iron-nickel alloy, which move when subjected to a magnetic field, damaging the cancer cells, the report published in Nature Materials said.

One of the study's authors, Elena Rozhlova of Argonne National Laboratory in the United States, said subjecting the discs to a low magnetic field for around ten minutes was enough to destroy 90 percent of cancer cells in tests.

In a commentary on the report, Jon Dobson of Keele University in Britain said antibodies could be used to direct the discs towards tumour cells.

"This provides an elegant and rapid technique for targeting tumour destruction without the side effects associated with systemic treatments such as chemotherapy," Dobson wrote.

[LaFille]

Hmmm, I remember seeing a documentary about something similar a few years ago... Quantic points I think they called the little matter. In any case, they were putting great hope in such approaches.

[The Sonar Chicken]

Well, at least it'd be less invasive than current treatments 'cos I know that chemo = a method that still often hurts the patient far more than cancer itself.

[ss]

I pray that it works. It would be an amazing breakthrough in cancer research.

I have a friend that had a mamogram last november, showed breast cancer, she opted for an operation rather than a masectomy. We told her it was to near her lymph nodes to not have the complete work done. She now has stage 4 and the lymph nodes have transported it to where she has 8 tumors in her lungs, and 1 in her brain. She may not last through Christmas. She will leave 3 children and numerous grandchildren. and is only 54.

Breast cancer is devastating and seems to be growing in numbers. Hope they get a breakthrough soon, as it is sorely needed.