New Cancer Research Gold as an Effective Cancer Therapy?

Gold suitable for treatment against certain types of cancer?
Most types of cancer are very dangerous diseases, which often lead to the death of those affected. Researchers now found that so-called gold nanoparticles could be used to treat cancer. Thus, a treatment could directly and effectively affect the diseased cells, but without harming the healthy tissue.

The researchers from Edinburgh University and the University of Zaragoza found in their study that the smallest gold nanoparticles could be used to treat cancers. The physicians published the results of their study in the journal "Angewandte Chemie".

Many people suffer from lung cancer, with smoking and increased environmental impact being the main risk factors. Physicians now noted that the use of so-called gold nanoparticles could significantly improve the treatment of lung cancer and other forms of cancer that are difficult to treat. (Image: blueringmedia / fotolia.com)

Gold increases the effectiveness of drugs for the treatment of lung cancer cells
The precious metal gold increases the effectiveness of drugs for the treatment of lung cancer cells, say the experts. Although the current study was conducted on zebrafish, scientists hope to use the same technique to successfully treat people with cancer in the future. Gold can accelerate or catalyze chemical reactions, the authors explain.

Less side effects of chemotherapy
In the future, the new method will hopefully help reduce the side effects of current chemotherapy by targeting targeted cells to diseased cells without damaging healthy tissue, the Edinburgh University researchers said in a press release on their study findings.

Further research is needed
We have discovered new properties of gold that were previously unknown and our findings suggest that the gold could be used to safely release drugs within tumors, say the physicians. Of course, further research needs to be done before this type of treatment can be used in human patients. However, the results are already a step in the right direction.

Physicians are looking for new ways to provide cancer medicines
Hopefully one day it will be possible to use a method in humans that activates chemotherapy directly in the tumors and thus reduces harmful effects on the healthy organs, explain the authors. Developing new, better ways to deliver cancer medicines could improve the treatment of cancer and reduce the risk of side effects.

Gold nanoparticles could be used to treat brain tumors
For example, the gold nanoparticles could also help improve the treatment of brain tumors and other difficult-to-treat forms of cancer, the researchers explain. The next step will be to check if this type of treatment is safe for people and what are the long-term and short-term side effects. (As)