Cancer bomb zaps tumor cells in mice

[Massacure]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8726644/

LONDON - A smart anti-cancer bomb that acts like a Trojan horse can penetrate deep into tumors where it explodes and destroys cancerous cells without harming healthy ones, scientists said on Wednesday.

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who devised the molecular size bomb tested it in mice with skin or lung cancer. Mice given the treatment lived more than three times longer than untreated rodents.

The scientists believe it could have the same effect in humans. “We’re quite hopeful and optimistic that as we translate this into humans the results pan out as they have in animals,” Professor Ram Sasisekharan, of MIT’s Biological Engineering Division, said in an interview.

The smart bomb uses nanotechnology which manipulates materials on a molecular or atomic scale, to deliver chemotherapy drugs to destroy the tumor and anti-angiogenesis agents to block its blood supply.

[Straight Shooter]

1. This is good news. The "bomb" delivers a double whammy.

Having seen the effects of chemotherapy firsthand, I sure hope this little "bomb" will also allow physicians (and veterinarians) to deliver as little of the chemo as possible. The anti-angiogenesis agent is also critical.

[kestrel91316]

3. Unfortunately, few veterinarians' clients want or can afford .............

much in the way of cancer treatment for their pets. This new thing will no doubt be VERY VERY expensive.

[MelissaB]

2. The video is good too

if you can make it through the commercial.

[psychopomp]

4. Lucky mice

Seriously, I hope this will one day result in better, healthier lives for cancer patients.

[dutchdoctor]

5. waiting for the PETA crowd to mourn the lives of these lab mice

and call for the prosecution of the researchers.
I wander if they are willing to call for a boycott of these new drugs when they become available to cancer patients.