Researchers from the Baltic Federal University named after Kant, in collaboration with international colleagues, have developed a new class of nanoparticles with promising properties for cancer therapy. This work, reported by DEA News with reference to Russia’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education, marks a step forward in biomedical nanomaterials science.
The team is advancing the synthesis of nanostructures composed of gold and iron oxide materials. These multifunctional compounds combine several functional components whose magnetic and optical behaviors depend on how the constituents are arranged within the particle. By carefully tuning this architecture, researchers can create materials with tailored responses to light and magnetic fields, opening avenues for targeted cancer treatments.
Alexander Omelyanchik, affiliated with the Science and Education Center of the Belarusian Federal University, described the project as a study of multifunctional nanoparticles endowed with distinctive optical and magnetic capabilities. The aim is to explore how these properties can be leveraged for precise biomedical applications, including diagnostics and therapy, while maintaining a focus on biosafety and compatibility with human cells.
The newly designed nanoparticles exhibit enhanced magnetic and optical features thanks to their unique star-like geometry. Such shapes enable effective photothermal therapy, where light is used to heat and destroy malignant cells without harming surrounding healthy tissue. Importantly, the researchers report that the particles show compatibility with healthy cells, suggesting a favorable safety profile in preliminary assessments.
Biological tests involved exposing cultured breast cancer cells to the nanostructures and observing effects in controlled conditions. The cells were grown in a culture medium containing specified concentrations of nanoparticles to evaluate uptake, distribution, and impact on cell viability. Results indicated low toxicity toward normal cells, signaling good biocompatibility of the star-shaped nanostructures.
When subjected to a low-frequency alternating magnetic field, cancer cells carrying the nanoparticles showed a reduction in viability by about 65 percent, attributed to localized heating of the particles. Exposure to light yielded an additional approximate 45 percent decrease in cancer cell viability, underscoring the potential of combining magnetic and optical activation in cancer treatment strategies.
These findings resonate with earlier work in Russia on magnetic nanoparticle-based cancer therapies, reinforcing the potential of nanomaterials to enhance treatment effectiveness while offering additional control over therapeutic delivery. The ongoing research emphasizes a move toward safer, more targeted interventions that minimize collateral effects on healthy tissues and improve patient outcomes across diverse clinical settings.