Scientists develop nanoparticle anti-cancer drug delivery system

SEOUL, Aug. 24 (Yonhap) -- South Korean scientists said Wednesday that they have developed a nanoparticle anti-cancer drug delivery system that could help doctors better fight the potentially fatal disease.
The researchers led by Lee Sang-cheon, Kyunghee University dentistry professor, said the nanoparticle capsule made from silica carried tumor fighting drugs directly to cancerous growth in animal tests. Such a delivery system raises effectiveness of the drugs and reduce side effects.
Nano material capsules that are one-billionth of a meter in size have been made in the past, but most have not been able to successfully hold the drugs until reaching the tumors.
"The latest nanoparticle that also uses calcium phosphate as a cap to contain the drug inside capsule, only dissolves when it comes in contact with the high levels of acidity found in cancer cells," the research team said.
It added that because calcium phosphate is common throughout the body and is the main material used to make bones, the material should not pose health risks.
The research, which received government funding, has been published in the August on-line edition of the Angewandte Chemie journal.
yonngong@yna.co.kr