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Nanotechnology

Breakthrough in Cancer Gene Therapy: Nanoparticle-Based Treatment Shows Promise

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban, South Africa, have made a significant breakthrough in cancer gene therapy by developing a nanoparticle-based treatment that targets cancer cells with high precision. According to a study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, the researchers used dendrimer-functionalized selenium nanoparticles to deliver a therapeutic gene to cancer cells, resulting in higher transgene expression and increased cell viability.

Key Takeaways:

  • Researchers developed a nanoparticle-based treatment that targets cancer cells with high precision using dendrimer-functionalized selenium nanoparticles.
  • The treatment exhibited higher transgene expression and increased cell viability compared to non-targeting counterparts.
  • The nanoparticles were designed to deliver a therapeutic gene to cancer cells, which resulted in higher overall transgene expression in HeLa cells.
  • The treatment also showed a higher cell viability of 85% compared to selenium-free nanocomplexes, which had a viability of approximately 75%.
  • The research aimed to formulate dendrimer-functionalized selenium nanoparticles (PAMAM-SeNPs) containing the targeting moiety, folic acid (FA), for delivery of pCMV*-Luc*-DNA (pDNA) in vitro.
  • The study assessed nucleic acid-binding, compaction, and pDNA protection, followed by cell-based in vitro cytotoxicity, transgene expression, and apoptotic assays.

Statistics:

  • 25 mV: The favourable size of the nanocomplexes for cellular interaction.
  • 85%: The higher cell viability of PAMAM-SeNP nanocomplexes compared to selenium-free nanocomplexes.
  • 75%: The cell viability of selenium-free nanocomplexes.
  • 21: The volume of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, where the research was published.
  • 7177: The issue number of International Journal of Molecular Sciences where the research was published.

Sources:

  • Folate-Targeted Transgenic Activity of Dendrimer Functionalized Selenium Nanoparticles In Vitro. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2020, 21(7177):7177. (International Journal of Molecular Sciences - http://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijms).
  • Nikita Simone Pillay, Nano-Gene and Drug Delivery Group, Discipline of Biochemistry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban 4000, South Africa.
  • Aliscia Daniels, Moganavelli Singh, Additional authors for the research.

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