Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: Nanoparticles target and kill cancer stem cells that drive tumor growth

Home > Press > Nanoparticles target and kill cancer stem cells that drive tumor growth

After two hours, special nanoparticles accumulated in cancer cells (red and yellow) in mice and destroyed most of the tumor within a day (right).

Credit: American Chemical Society

Abstract:
Many cancer patients survive treatment only to have a recurrence within a few years. Recurrences and tumor spreading are likely due to cancer stem cells that can be tough to kill with conventional cancer drugs. But now researchers have designed nanoparticles that specifically target these hardy cells to deliver a drug. The nanoparticle treatment, reported in the journal ACS Nano, worked far better than the drug alone in mice.

Nanoparticles target and kill cancer stem cells that drive tumor growth

Washington, DC | Posted on June 10th, 2015

Anti-cancer drugs can often shrink tumors but don't kill cancer stem cells (CSCs). Although CSCs might only make up a small part of a tumor, their resistance to drugs allows them to persist. They can then cause a tumor to regrow or spread cancerous cells throughout the body. Xiaoming He and colleagues wanted to develop a nanoparticle system to overcome these cells' defenses.

The researchers packaged the anti-cancer drug doxorubicin into nanoparticles coated with chitosan, a natural polysaccharide that can specifically target CSCs. Once in the acidic environment of the tumor, the nanoparticles degraded and released the drug. Tests on tiny, tissue-like clumps of both normal and cancer stem cells in vitro and on human breast tumors grown in mice showed the therapy successfully killed CSCs and destroyed tumors. The mice showed no obvious side effects.

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The authors acknowledge funding from the American Cancer Society and Pelotonia.

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About American Chemical Society
The American Chemical Society is a nonprofit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. With more than 158,000 members, ACS is the world's largest scientific society and a global leader in providing access to chemistry-related research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.

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Contacts:
Michael Bernstein

202-872-6042

Xiaoming He, Ph.D.
Department of Biomedical Engineering
The Ohio State University
Columbus, OH 43210
Phone: 614-247-8759

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