Nanoparticles could help spread cancer

The phenomenon, called "nanomaterial-induced endothelial leakage" (NanoEL), accelerates the movement of cancer cells from the primary tumor and also causes the escape of circulating cancer cells from the bloodstream.

Nanoparticles could have unintended and harmful side effects, such as accelerating the spread of cancer.

Researchers believe that nanomedicines, considered as an effective way to overcome the limits of conventional cancer treatments, could also have unwanted and harmful side effects, such as accelerating the spread of cancer.

The findings warn of the possible side effects of anti-cancer nanomedicines, designed to kill cancer cells, and other common nanoparticles, but pave the way for safer design and better treatment strategies.

Based on bad cancer, researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have discovered that common nanoparticles based on gold, titanium dioxide, silver and silicon dioxide – and also used in nanomedicines – widened the gap between the cells of the vessels it is easier for other cells, such as cancer cells, to enter and exit "leaky" blood vessels.

The phenomenon, called "nanomaterial-induced endothelial leakage" (NanoEL), accelerates the movement of cancer cells from the primary tumor and also causes the escape of circulating cancer cells from the bloodstream.

This makes it possible to establish a larger tumor site more quickly and to initiate new secondary sites previously inaccessible to cancer cells, the team explained.

"For a cancer patient, our results have the direct consequence that preexisting long-term exposure to nanoparticles – for example, through everyday products or environmental pollutants – can accelerate cancer progression, even when Nanomedicine is not administered, "said David Leong, badociate professor at NUS.

"The interactions between these tiny nanomaterials and the body's biological systems must be taken into account in the design and development of nanomedicine against cancer.

"It is essential to ensure that the nanomaterial containing the anti-cancer drug does not inadvertently accelerate tumor progression.As new advances in the field of nanomedicine occur, we must simultaneously understand the causes of cancer. these unexpected results, "he said. , published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology.

NUS researchers are using the NanoEL effect to design more effective therapies.

For example, nanoparticles that induce NanoEL can potentially be used to increase blood vessel leakage, and thus promote drug access or stem cell repair to diseased tissues that may not be amenable to treatment at the origin .