How the nanoparticles, e.g. metallic nanoparticles or polymer capper particles specifically kill the tumor cells, leaving the healthy and non-cancerous cells unaffected? What is the mechanism by which it recognize the tumor cells??
Dear Shakti,
usually, nanoparticles that distinguish tumor cells from healthy ones are called targeted, meaning, they are modified (usually on surface) with something that specifically binds to a tumor cell (the target), otherwise, they don't differentiate and we only depend on passive , that cancer cells are more permeable, hotter and eats more!!!
Dear Shakti,
usually, nanoparticles that distinguish tumor cells from healthy ones are called targeted, meaning, they are modified (usually on surface) with something that specifically binds to a tumor cell (the target), otherwise, they don't differentiate and we only depend on passive , that cancer cells are more permeable, hotter and eats more!!!
Fadwa Odeh is right. we have to modified as per our requirement and tune them target specific. its a not simple like we discuss but its a big fundamental science.
Thanks for nice sharing Shakti and Fadwa
Dear Fadwa,
Thanks for sharing the answer. I completely agree to your point but I wonder that when we expose the tumor cells as well as non-tumor cells to a nanoparticle in an in vitro condition to get its cytotoxic effect and we end up with a lethal dose 50 (the dose at which 50% cells get killed) for both. Generally we find that nanoparticles are effective against tumor cells with a very little toxic effect on the non-tumor cells. What is the mechanism there?
Dear Vipul,
Yes, it is true. It is not as simple as it seems in theory. We need to synthesize the particle, surface functionalize it and also need to improve lot of other factors (circulation time, EPR effect, interaction with serum proteins, renal clearance) for an ideal targeted delivery with less toxicity.
I welcome your views.
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