Russian scientists have created safe nanoparticles for cancer treatment

With deep—seated tumors, surgery and chemotherapy are often dangerous or ineffective, especially if vital structures are affected. In such cases, photothermal therapy is considered promising: nanoparticles are injected into the tumor and heated with a laser, destroying cancer cells. Previously, the method was limited due to expensive and toxic gold and silver particles. However, Russian scientists, together with their foreign colleagues, have created a more affordable and safer alternative — selenium-based nanoparticles.

It is an element from the same group as sulfur: in small doses, it is useful for the thyroid gland, and in the composition of nanoparticles it works as a "light absorber", capturing infrared radiation of the desired range. Scientists used tungsten and palladium — they are non-toxic and cheaper than gold. In contrast, such particles heat up throughout the volume, not just on the surface, which makes them simpler, more reliable and more accessible.

Compounds of metals and selenium have long been known, but previously existed only in the form of films. For the first time, scientists have transformed them into tiny spherical particles using an ultrashort laser pulse.

Alexander Xu, Professor of the Department of General Physics at Perm National Research Polytechnic University, Doctor of Physico-Mathematical Sciences, in an interview with aif.ru On Tuesday, April 28, he said that the method of producing particles is "clean": they form immediately in water, without toxic stabilizers, and do not stick together due to their own charge. According to him, this distinguishes them from their gold and silver counterparts, which require coating with harmful substances. He also explained that the spherical shape was chosen for safety reasons — such particles move more easily through the bloodstream, penetrate the tumor and do not damage healthy tissues.

According to the developers, the technology is ready for further testing and will make cancer treatment more accurate and affordable in the future.

In a double bottle: particles in the form of dumbbells will find and "kill" the tumor simultaneously

Scientists have combined the opposite properties in one drug carrier

Earlier that day, internist Anna Kuznetsova told Pravda.Ru that "the selective heating method avoids systemic effects on the body, which is critically important when medications are taken in large doses, overloading detoxification systems."

Alexander Ginzburg, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, director of the Gamaleya Center, said on April 25 that using a personalized vaccine for the treatment of melanoma, metastases can be removed. The specialist clarified that in the first stages it is injected into the tumor, and in the presence of metastases — into the bloodstream, writes NSN.

Earlier, scientists at Tomsk Polytechnic University developed nanoparticles for the treatment of brain diseases. As the website noted kp.ru On April 11, the new technology is based on biocompatible nanoparticles, which, under the influence of weak magnetic fields, are able to stimulate the work of nerve cells.

Oncologist Konstantin Titov spoke on April 1 about the use of immunotherapy in the fight against cancer. The doctor noted that a personalized approach is now being used in oncology: tumors are tested for genetic changes and targeted therapy is selected. Also, according to him, thanks to the early diagnosis, surgery has become less aggressive — organ-preserving operations are increasingly being performed. 360.ru .