Russian scientists have devised a new method based on the use of nanoparticles that are sensitive to the specific balance of oxidant and reduced substances inside the cancer cell, which allows drugs to target infected cells and control their death.
The National University of Science and Technology (MISIS) researcher Timur Nazimov said that the proposed compositions are particles of iron oxide coated with a polymer shell, which include compounds containing two sulfur atoms.
The polymer shell opens after the nanoparticles enter the cancer cell, after which iron atoms (Fe3+) are released with sulfur atoms that reinforce each other to deplete the reserves of the reductase enzyme – glutathione, which stimulates oxidative stress within the cancer cell and leads to its death, he added.
Experts evaluated this new method, noting its high efficacy in combination with the targeted drug delivery method, the ability of the substances to oxidize and reduce the malignant formations, and the targeted effect of the active substances.
Source: Qatar News Agency