Melbourne — Scientists have announced a major breakthrough in cancer research with the development of tiny metal-based particles, called “nanodots,” that can selectively kill cancer cells while leaving healthy tissue largely unharmed, opening the door to safer and more effective therapies.
Researchers at RMIT University in Australia, working with international collaborators, engineered nanodots made from molybdenum oxide, a compound derived from a widely used metal. These nanoparticles exploit a critical vulnerability in cancer cells, releasing reactive oxygen molecules that increase internal cellular stress, pushing tumour cells into apoptosis, or programmed cell death, without damaging surrounding healthy cells.
According to the study’s lead scientists, cancer cells naturally operate under higher baseline stress than normal cells. The nanodots intensify this stress just enough to trigger self-destruction in tumours, offering a targeted approach that could significantly reduce the side effects commonly associated with conventional treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation.
In laboratory tests focusing on cervical cancer cell cultures, the nanodots destroyed tumour cells at a rate three times higher than that observed in healthy cells, demonstrating strong selectivity. Notably, the nanodots work without the need for external triggers like heat or light, increasing their potential applicability across different treatment settings.
Researchers emphasized that this approach uses safer and more affordable materials compared with traditional nanoparticles made from gold or silver, which can be expensive and potentially toxic. While the research remains in the early experimental stage and has not yet been tested in animals or humans, it represents a promising advance in precision nanomedicine, where therapies specifically target cancer cells while minimizing collateral damage.
Experts believe further studies will focus on optimizing nanodot effectiveness, testing in animal models, and eventually conducting human trials, bringing the prospect of gentler, more precise cancer treatments closer to reality. This innovation is seen as a significant step forward in the fight against one of the world’s deadliest diseases.
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