Carbon-Coated Nanomagnets As Potential Hyperthermia Agents

Tag : Metallic Coating

Carbon-coated nanomagnets may offer a new form of cancer treatment.Research presented at the 103rd Annual Scientific Meeting of theAmerican Urological Association (AUA) suggests that nanoparticlesconsisting of metallic iron with a protective carbon coat couldserve as a safe and effective hyperthermia agent. In animal models,using heat to selectively kill tumor cells has proven efficient.Using metallic iron in the nanoparticles (in lieu of iron oxide)would allow heating at greater temperatures; and coating the ironwith carbon would prevent the iron from rusting, which can hinderthe effectiveness of the therapy. Researchers from Germanypresented their findings to reporters in a special press conferenceon May 19, 2008 at 11:00 a.m.

In order to ensure that the nanoparticles did not harmnon-cancerous cells, researchers tested their compatibility withnormal tissues. Human PC-3 prostate cells and a non-malignantfibroblast cell line were incubated with the carbon coatednanomagnets and, after the incubation period, the cells did notexperience major cytotoxic (cell-destroying) effects. The cellcycle distribution and the apoptosis rate were not impaired by thepresence of nanomagnets, reflecting the biocompatible character ofthese structures. This breakthrough could provide an effectivetreatment option for many types of cancer, without the destructionof surrounding cells associated with chemotherapy or invasivesurgery.