From Alzheimer’s to Zebrafish: Eclectic Science and Regulatory Stories 24
Current and Future Developments
Developments in nanoscale biomedicine should enable scientists to create implants that
release drugs on demand and monitor blood chemistry. This has been recognized by the
National Cancer Institute (NCI). The institute has committed to a new $144.3 million, five-
year initiative to develop and apply nanotechnology to cancer. According to the director,
Dr. Andrew von Eschenbauch: “Nanotechnology has the potential to radically increase
our options for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.” He added that NCI’s com-
mitment to this cancer initiative comes at a critical time and that nanotechnology supports
and expands the scientific advances in genomics and proteomics while it builds on our
understanding of the molecular underpinning of cancer.12
Among the first nanoscale devices to show promise in fighting cancer and administer-
ing drugs are tiny constructions called nanoshells. These devices consist of beads that are
about three-millionths of an inch wide, with an outer metal wall and an inner silicon core.
By varying the size ratio between the wall and core, scientists can tune the shells precisely
to absorb or scatter specific wavelengths of light. Gold-encased nanoshells can convert these
forms of light into heat. There is thus a possibility to fight cancer by selectively binding
these shells to malignant cells. Infrared rays would pass harmlessly through soft tissue but
generate lethal heat where they strike the nanoshells. In laboratory tests, the investigators
have used this selective heating to cook tumor cells without harming surrounding healthy
ones.13 Nanoshells may also be able to trigger implanted, temperature sensitive drug deliv-
ery devices, releasing a dose only when illuminated with a specific infrared wavelength.
Another company, Nanosphere Incorporated, is developing molecular testing
systems to enable doctors to detect patient predisposition to medical conditions so they
can optimize patient drug response based upon genetic variations while simultaneously
reducing the occurrence of adverse drug reactions.14 The company has developed a system
using gold nanoparticles attached to strands of nucleotides complementary to targets
of interest such as the mecA gene, a biomarker associated with clinically challenging
methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus. When a target nucleic acid or protein is present,
the nanoparticle probes latch on to the match and provide an optical signal indicating the
target has been found. The system is ready to adapt to a full range of targets as soon as
clinically relevant markers become available.
One of the top goals of researchers is to develop new ways to seek out and destroy
cancer cells. Nanoshells work by cooking cells, but there are other methods. Dr. Ralph
Weichselbaum, chief of radiation oncology at the University of Chicago and Vigi
Balasubramanian of the Illinois Institute of Technology are collaborating on a project to
incorporate a cancer-killer gene into a nanocapsule. The gene elaborates tumor necrosis
factor which is toxic not only to cancer cells but to healthy cells when injected in large
doses. To avoid damage to normal tissue, the nanocapsule is coated with sensors that zero
in only on tumor cells. A patient would then be exposed to low dose radiation or drugs
that trigger the gene to make the necrosis factor.15
In 2005, more than 60 drugs and drug delivery systems based on nanotechnology and
more than 90 medical devices or diagnostic tests were already being tested, according to
NanoBiotech News, a weekly newsletter that tracks the field.16 One includes the use of quan-
tum dots, which are bits of material so tiny that they are often just a few atoms across. The
dots are used as research tools to help understand how proteins, DNA and other biologi-
cal molecules attach to transport systems inside cells. Quantum dots are coated with a
material that makes them attach to specific target molecules that may be early indicators
of disease.
Summary
According to a recent review in the British Medical Journal, there are three major medi-
cal uses for nanotechnology.17 First is delivering the exact dose of a drug to the intended
Current and Future Developments
Developments in nanoscale biomedicine should enable scientists to create implants that
release drugs on demand and monitor blood chemistry. This has been recognized by the
National Cancer Institute (NCI). The institute has committed to a new $144.3 million, five-
year initiative to develop and apply nanotechnology to cancer. According to the director,
Dr. Andrew von Eschenbauch: “Nanotechnology has the potential to radically increase
our options for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.” He added that NCI’s com-
mitment to this cancer initiative comes at a critical time and that nanotechnology supports
and expands the scientific advances in genomics and proteomics while it builds on our
understanding of the molecular underpinning of cancer.12
Among the first nanoscale devices to show promise in fighting cancer and administer-
ing drugs are tiny constructions called nanoshells. These devices consist of beads that are
about three-millionths of an inch wide, with an outer metal wall and an inner silicon core.
By varying the size ratio between the wall and core, scientists can tune the shells precisely
to absorb or scatter specific wavelengths of light. Gold-encased nanoshells can convert these
forms of light into heat. There is thus a possibility to fight cancer by selectively binding
these shells to malignant cells. Infrared rays would pass harmlessly through soft tissue but
generate lethal heat where they strike the nanoshells. In laboratory tests, the investigators
have used this selective heating to cook tumor cells without harming surrounding healthy
ones.13 Nanoshells may also be able to trigger implanted, temperature sensitive drug deliv-
ery devices, releasing a dose only when illuminated with a specific infrared wavelength.
Another company, Nanosphere Incorporated, is developing molecular testing
systems to enable doctors to detect patient predisposition to medical conditions so they
can optimize patient drug response based upon genetic variations while simultaneously
reducing the occurrence of adverse drug reactions.14 The company has developed a system
using gold nanoparticles attached to strands of nucleotides complementary to targets
of interest such as the mecA gene, a biomarker associated with clinically challenging
methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus. When a target nucleic acid or protein is present,
the nanoparticle probes latch on to the match and provide an optical signal indicating the
target has been found. The system is ready to adapt to a full range of targets as soon as
clinically relevant markers become available.
One of the top goals of researchers is to develop new ways to seek out and destroy
cancer cells. Nanoshells work by cooking cells, but there are other methods. Dr. Ralph
Weichselbaum, chief of radiation oncology at the University of Chicago and Vigi
Balasubramanian of the Illinois Institute of Technology are collaborating on a project to
incorporate a cancer-killer gene into a nanocapsule. The gene elaborates tumor necrosis
factor which is toxic not only to cancer cells but to healthy cells when injected in large
doses. To avoid damage to normal tissue, the nanocapsule is coated with sensors that zero
in only on tumor cells. A patient would then be exposed to low dose radiation or drugs
that trigger the gene to make the necrosis factor.15
In 2005, more than 60 drugs and drug delivery systems based on nanotechnology and
more than 90 medical devices or diagnostic tests were already being tested, according to
NanoBiotech News, a weekly newsletter that tracks the field.16 One includes the use of quan-
tum dots, which are bits of material so tiny that they are often just a few atoms across. The
dots are used as research tools to help understand how proteins, DNA and other biologi-
cal molecules attach to transport systems inside cells. Quantum dots are coated with a
material that makes them attach to specific target molecules that may be early indicators
of disease.
Summary
According to a recent review in the British Medical Journal, there are three major medi-
cal uses for nanotechnology.17 First is delivering the exact dose of a drug to the intended