Gold-Nano Blog / Gold Nanoparticle Cancer Research Report #11`

Gold Nanoparticle Cancer
Research Report
#11

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Originally Posted on 10/16/2018 @ 8:52 pm EDT

Last Edited on 03/31/2025

by Steven Warrenfeltz

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Hello,

Gold Nanoparticle Cancer Research is a non-invasive cancer treatment that kills cancer without harmful side effects.  Gold nanoparticles are non-toxic and biocompatible; they are made to attack and kill only cancer cells.

In this report, you will find summaries of the most promising and compelling studies from September 2018 regarding gold nanoparticle cancer research. Each summary includes direct links to the original articles and research.

Below is a glimpse into what you'll find in this issue:

• Gold Nanoparticles & Iron binding ions make MRI's safer and better
  

• Gold nanoparticle nasal spray for treating brain cancer.

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Making MRI's
Better and Safer using
Nano Gold (Au) & Iron ions (Fe)

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) can be both confining and loud, as experienced by those who have undergone such procedures.

A Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI) occurs when a radio-frequency disrupts the electromagnetic field, in the body, creating an image.

A person lies inside a large electromagnet; a loud noise is caused by the energy required to create the magnetic field needed to align protons in the body.

To enhance the image, traditionally, MRI technicians inject a drug or contrast agent containing gadolinium into the patient's body.

Gadolinium is a toxic, rare earth metal, and it is the traditional contrast agent given to patients who are having an MRI.

When gadolinium is manufactured as a contrast agent, it's placed in an organic wrap that reduces an individual's exposure to the metal's toxicity, which helps it pass through the body.

However, a study from Japan revealed that gadolinium accumulates in the brains of some patients, while other studies found deposits in other body areas.   Although no toxicity from the gadolinium was found in the studies, the FDA has made drug manufacturers add warning labels to all gadolinium-based drugs.

Rice University researchers have developed a safer method for magnetic resonance images using gold nanoparticles, iron chelate, and fluorescent dyes as contrasting agents.

In the study, headed up by Dr. Naomi Halas, researchers called their new contrasting agent 'Nano-matryoshkas' because they were multi-layered like the Russian nesting dolls.

The gold nano-matryoshkas consist of a gold core covered with a layer of silica that encapsulates iron-binding ions known as "chelates" and fluorescent dyes, which serve as contrasting agents. A second layer of gold is added for protection.

When the researchers used the gold-based nano-matryoshkas in experimental MRIs, they stated that the "results surprised everyone."

Gold nanoparticles have a very large surface area, which enabled the researchers to overload the particles with iron chelates, making the nano-matryoshkas perform twice as well as gadolinium.

In addition, the lead researcher in the study, Dr. Naomi Halas, stated that the gold-based nanomatryoshkas can kill cancer cells when a near-infrared light is focused on them.

So with further research, these experiments may one day give individuals the ability to diagnose and treat cancer in a single visit to the MRI lab.

Read the full research report here: Reimagining MRI contrast: Iron outperforms gadolinium - Rice University

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Treating Brain Cancer using a
Gold Nanoparticle
Nasal Spray

Current forms of treating brain cancer involve surgery, if operable, but usually it is treated with chemo and/or radiation therapy, and often with poor results.  The poor results come from modern-day treatments' failure to break the blood-brain barrier.

Washington University researchers have developed a nasal spray that breaks the blood-brain barrier, effectively treating and killing brain cancer cells. The spray uses gold nanoparticles, microbubbles, and Focused Ultra-Sound.

In the study, a cancer-fighting drug was attached to gold nanoparticles and sent through the nasal cavity and into the brain via a nasal spray, bypassing the blood-brain barrier by absorbing through the olfactory and trigeminal nerves.

However, there is an odd twist to this research: the heart's pumping effect on body vessels aids in the distribution of gold nanoparticles and the drug into the brain.

Once the gold nanoparticles fully penetrated the brain, micro-bubbles were injected into the body, and 'Focused Ultra-Soundwaves' were focused on the cancer cells in the brain.

Once the gold nanoparticles fully penetrated the brain, "microbubbles" were injected into the body, and "focused ultrasound waves" were aimed at the cancer cells in the brain, propelling the drug-coated gold nanoparticles into the cancer cells, killing them.

Researchers stated the following about their results:

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Read the Abstract about the research here: Focused ultrasound combined with microbubble-mediated intranasal delivery of gold nanoclusters to the brain - Science Direct

The Washington University Article is here: Focused delivery for brain cancers - Washington University in St. Louis

Thank You for your Time.

Take Care & God Bless,

Steve

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