A multi-disciplinary team of scientists from the University of Leicester could be potentially paving the way for the development of a powerful new strategy for both the early diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.
The research is to use cutting edge nanotechnology to identify a pioneering treatment which could also be applied to other aggressive cancers. The University of Leicester researchers say that microscopic (5-100 nm) magnetic nanoparticles could be applied in the sensitive diagnosis and effective treatment of prostate cancer. This follows breakthrough nanotechnology research at the University. High-performance magnetic nanoparticles a as probes that show up (using Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and kill (by hyperthermia) tumour cells at a much earlier stage than conventional methods. The pioneering technology is focused on the development of a new type of magnetic nanoparticle in which the magnetic performance is increased by a factor of ten. Targeting these magnetic nanoparticles to unique cell surface receptors present on the prostate tumour cell surface will enable efficient and specific delivery to prostate cancer cells. The approach could be applied to other types of aggressive cancers (i.e. liver, breast and colon) in which early diagnosis and treatment is essential for recovery.
