Nanotechnology advance offers promising new approach to treatment of lung cancer

May 23, 2013 12:59 PM EST By: Jennifer Rocha

Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a new drug delivery system that allows inhalation of chemotherapeutic drugs to help treat lung cancer.

Story content courtesy of Oregon State University, US

In laboratory and animal tests, the new inhalation system appears to reduce the systemic damage done to other organs while significantly improving the treatment of lung tumors.  This advance in nanomedicine combines nanoparticles, existing cancer drugs, and small interfering RNA (siRNA) that shut down the ability of cancer cells to resist attack.  The combination of these forces resulted in the virtual disappearance of lung tumors in experimental animals.

A patent is being applied for on the technology, and more testing will be necessary before it is ready for human clinical trials, the researchers said.  This work was supported by the National Cancer Institute, National Science Foundation, and the Department of Defense.

 

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