Moscow:Scientists at Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University in Russia have made a significant advancement in cancer treatment technology by developing gold and iron microparticles capable of destroying nearly 50% of cancer cells. This breakthrough occurs when the particles are exposed simultaneously to an infrared laser and a magnetic field.
According to Wam, the researchers engineered disc-shaped microparticles with alternating layers of gold and iron. The gold component allows the particles to be heated by a laser, while the iron layer makes them responsive to a magnetic field.
In laboratory tests on liver cancer cells, it was found that microparticles with an outer layer of gold destroyed 29% of the cells when exposed to a laser. Meanwhile, iron-coated particles killed approximately 17% of the cells when subjected to a magnetic field. However, simultaneous exposure to both a laser and a magnetic field increased the percentage of cancer cells destroyed to nearly 50%.
The scientists suggest that this technology could be applied following tumor removal surgery. By applying a gel containing the microparticles to the surgical site and exposing it to a laser and magnetic field, the remaining cancer cells could be destroyed, potentially reducing the risk of cancer recurrence.
This innovative approach combines photothermal therapy, which utilizes laser-generated heat, with magnetic stimulation to effectively target and damage cancer cells.