EU researchers use nanoparticles to help drugs target tumours
An EU research project is developing nanotechnology-based medicine able to deliver targeted drugs to kill cancer tumours.
An EU research project is developing nanotechnology-based medicine able to deliver targeted drugs to kill cancer tumours.
The Euro 11m NANOTHER project, co-ordinated by the GAIKER-IK4 Technological Centre in Spain, is creating medicines based on two types of nanoparticles:
"polymeric" particles, which direct therapeutic compounds to tumours and include antibodies capable of recognising and attacking tumour cells; plus
"magnetic" particles, also helping find tumours, while aiding their elimination through increasing their temperature.
A GAIKER statement said: The use of nanomedicine in the treatment of cancer is focused on the reduction of the overall dosage of the pharmaceutical drugs used, enabling the administration of higher quantities, but in a more specific manner by targeting the tumourous cells, thus reducing the side-effects..
Its project is being funded by the EU's current seventh framework programme on research.
Companies involved in the project include Spain's Dominion Pharmakine and Pharmamar, and the UK's NuovoProbe, among others.