Cancer researchers how sperm could cure cancer in the future

Sperm as new drug supplier against cervical cancer

In Germany, more than 4,000 women develop cervical cancer each year. Researchers have now discovered that sperm could potentially be considered as a new drug supplier for the treatment of such cancers. However, it is still a long way to go.

Surgery, radiation and chemotherapy

Cervical cancer is the third most common malignant genital tumor in women. According to experts, more than 4,000 women a year contract this type of cancer in Germany - about 1,500 die of it. "Surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are the main treatments for cervical cancer," reads the website of the Cancer Information Service. In the distant future, sperm might also help treat this cancer.

Sperm could play an important role in the future treatment of cervical cancer. (Image: Sebastian Kaulitzki / fotolia.com)

New method against abdominal cancer with sperm as an active ingredient feeder

Sperm are perhaps the new drug suppliers for the drug treatment of abdominal tumors.

Scientists at Chemnitz University of Technology are currently developing a new method in cooperation with the Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research that may be suitable for the treatment of certain abdominal cancers.

Sperm should deliver the drug to the uterus.

The promising basic research offers a new approach to the treatment of cancer cells in the uterus or in the cervix.

The research team around Prof. dr. Oliver Schmidt has succeeded in a laboratory attempt to use cattle sperm as a carrier for anti-cancer drugs.

The sperm treated with the drug is equipped with a specially designed "nano engine" from the 3D printer and can thus be controlled directly to the cancer cells, where they release the drug.

The first study results were published on the scientific portal "ACS Nano".

Tuned sperm

At the heart of this research is a special manufacturing process for the production of nano-structures. A four-arm microtube designed in 3D nanolithography is manufactured by a 3D printer.

The diameter of the so-called "tetrapod" is about the size of a tenth of the human hair.

The "tetrapod" is coated with iron and applied to a single sperm. The scientists were now able to control the manipulated sperm using a magnetic field.

Use directly on site
The sperm was treated with the drug "doxorubicin", which was approved for the treatment of abdominal tumors.

It was then directed by the scientists directly to the cancer cell, where the drug was released and thereby some of the cancer cells died off after a short time. But the research is still in its infancy.

The first experiments in Petri dishes have already been successful. However, some sperm died after being treated with doxorubicin.

Sperm are the better syringes

Now, far-reaching experiments are underway to test the efficiency and biocompatibility of the technology.

Subsequently, the scientists are planning first animal experiments. Tests on human beings are still a long way off, according to the researchers.

"As an active substance carrier, sperm have the great advantage that they can stay in the uterus for a long time because of their natural nature," explains Professor Schmidt.

Sperm are capable of delivering large amounts of drug, and their efficient and powerful self-propulsion, as well as the ability to penetrate cell walls, allow them to inject directly into the cancer cell. (vb, ad)